Derivatives of n-(arylamino) sulfonamides as inhibitors of mek

ABSTRACT

This invention concerns N-(2-arylamino)aryl sulfonamides, which are inhibitors of MEK and are useful in treatment of cancer and other hyperproliferative diseases.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part application of InternationalApplication Ser. No PCT/US2006/028326 filed Jul. 21, 2006, which isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety and to whichapplication we claim priority under 35 USC § 120, which claims priorityto U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/701,814, filed Jul. 21,2005; to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/706,719, filed Aug. 8,2005; and to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/731,633, filedOct. 28, 2005 all of which are hereby incorporated by reference hereinin their entirety.

This application also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional ApplicationNo. 60/833,886 filed Jul. 28, 2006, which application is incorporatedherein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention concerns N-(2-arylamino)aryl sulfonamides, which areinhibitors of MEK. Such compounds are useful in the treatment of cancerand other hyperproliferative diseases.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Oncogenes—genes that contribute to the production of cancers—aregenerally mutated forms of certain normal cellular genes(“proto-oncogenes”). Oncogenes often encode abnormal versions of signalpathway components, such as receptor tyrosine kinases, serine-threoninekinases, or downstream signaling molecules. The central downstreamsignaling molecules are the Ras proteins, which are anchored on theinner surfaces of cytoplasmic membranes, and which hydrolyze boundguanosine triphosphate (GTP) to guanosine diphosphate (GDP). Whenactivated by a growth factor, growth factor receptors initiate a chainof reactions that leads to the activation of guanine nucleotide exchangeactivity on Ras. Ras alternates between an active “on” state with abound GTP (hereafter “Ras.GTP”) and an inactive “off state with a boundGDP. The active “on” state, Ras.GTP, binds to and activates proteinsthat control the growth and differentiation of cells.

For example, in the “mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAP kinase)cascade,” Ras.GTP leads to the activation of a cascade ofserine/threonine kinases. One of several groups of kinases known torequire a Ras.GTP for their own activation is the Raf family. The Rafproteins activate “MEK1” and “MEK2,” abbreviations for mitogen-activatedERK-activating kinases (where ERK is extracellular signal-regulatedprotein kinase, another designation for MAPK). MEK1 and MEK2 aredual-function serine/threonine and tyrosine protein kinases and are alsoknown as MAP kinase kinases. Thus, Ras.GTP activates Raf, whichactivates MEK1 and MEK2, which activate MAP kinase (MAPK). Activation ofMAP kinase by mitogens appears to be essential for proliferation, andconstitutive activation of this kinase is sufficient to induce cellulartransformation. Blockade of downstream Ras signaling, as by use of adominant negative Raf-1 protein, can completely inhibit mitogenesis,whether induced from cell surface receptors or from oncogenic Rasmutants.

The interaction of Raf and Ras is a key regulatory step in the controlof cell proliferation. To date, no substrates of MEK other than MAPKhave been identified; however, recent reports indicate that MEK may alsobe activated by other upstream signal proteins such as MEK kinase orMEKK1 and PKC. Activated MAPK translocates and accumulates in thenucleus, where it can phosphorylate and activate transcription factorssuch as Elk-1 and Sap1a, leading to the enhanced expression of genessuch as that for c-fos.

Once activated, Raf and other kinases phosphorylate MEK on twoneighboring serine residues, S²¹⁸ and S²²² in the case of MEK1. Thesephosphorylations are required for activation of MEK as a kinase. Inturn, MEK phosphorylates MAP kinase on two residues separated by asingle amino acid: a tyrosine, Y¹⁸⁵ and a threonine, T¹⁸³. MEK appearsto associate strongly with MAP kinase prior to phosphorylating it,suggesting that phosphorylation of MAP kinase by MEK may require a priorstrong interaction between the two proteins. Two factors—MEK's unusualspecificity and its requirement for a strong interaction with MAP kinaseprior to phosphorylation—suggest that MEK's mechanism of action maydiffer sufficiently from the mechanisms of other protein kinases as toallow for selective inhibitors of MEK. Possibly, such inhibitors wouldoperate through allosteric mechanisms rather than through the more usualmechanism involving blockage of an ATP binding site.

Thus, MEK1 and MEK2 are validated and accepted targets foranti-proliferative therapies, even when the oncogenic mutation does notaffect MEK structure or expression. See, e.g., U.S. Patent Publications2003/0149015 by Barrett et al. and 2004/0029898 by Boyle et al.

Several examples of 1-substituted-2(p-substituted-phenylamino)-arylinhibitors of MEK have been reported. U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,440,966 and6,750,217 and corresponding publication WO 00/42003 described carboxylicand hydroxamic acid esters and N-substituted amide derivatives ofsulfonamide-substituted-2(4-iodophenylamino)-benzoic acid esters andN-substituted benzamides as functioning as MEK inhibitors. Thesulfonamide may also be N-substituted.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,545,030 and corresponding publication WO 00/42029describe MEK inhibitors that are1-heterocyclyl-2(4-iodophenylamino)-benzene, where the heterocycle is afive-membered nitrogen-containing ring such as pyrazole, triazole,oxazole, isoxazole, and isoxazolinone. The more recent U.S. PatentPublication 2005/004186 describes related compounds in which the 4-iodosubstituent of the '030 patent is replaced by a very broad genus ofmoieties including alkyl, alkoxy, acyloxy, alkenyl, carbamoyl,carbamoylalkyl, carboxyl, carboxylalkyl, N-acylsulfonamido, and others.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,469,004 and corresponding publication WO 00/42022describe carboxylic and hydroxamic acid esters of a group ofheterocyclo-condensed phenylene compounds, i.e., benzimidazoles,benzooxazoles, benzothiazoles, benzothiadiazoles, quinazolines, etc. Theheterocycles are 7-F-6-(4-iodo-phenylamino)-5-carboxylic acid esters,carboxylic acid amides or hydroxamic acid esters. More recentpublication U.S. 2005/0026970 described similar compounds in which the4-iodo substituent was replaced by a very broad genus of structures.Related compounds are described in patent publications WO 03/077855, WO03/77914 and US 2005/0554701. Further examples of2-(4-iodophenylamino)-phenylhydroxamic acid esters which are reported tobe useful as MEK inhibitors can be found in WO 2005/028426. PatentPublication WO 02/06213 and corresponding U.S. application Ser. No.10/333,399 (U.S. 2004/0054172) describe hydroxy-substituted acid estersof 1-oxamic acid-2(4-halophenylamino)-3,4-difluorobenzene. U.S. Pat. No.6,891,066 and corresponding publication WO 03/62191 describe similarcompounds wherein the 4-halo substituent is replaced by a very broadgenus of structures. Among the substituents in the 4-position weremethyl, ethyl, ethynyl, and 2-hydroxyethyl. Specific related compoundsare described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,770,778.

Patent Publication WO 04/083167, published Sep. 30, 2004, (in Japanese)discloses more than two thousand—but provides NMR data for only400—1-(N-substituted sulfonylurea)-2(2,4-dihalophenylamino)-3,4-difluorobenzenes and asserts thatthey useful as MEK inhibitors. Data indicating inhibition of MEK werepresented for a subgroup of just twelve. In addition to a secondary ortertiary amine, these twelve compounds all contained one of thefollowing groups: an N,N-disubstituted sulfonyl urea,N-piperazinesulfonamide, N-piperidinesulfonamide orN-pyrrolidinesulfonamide.

The MEK cascade has also been implicated in inflammatory diseases anddisorders. U.S. Application Publication No. 2006/0030610 to Koch et al.,U.S. Application Publication No. 2006/0140872 to Furue et al. Thisincludes both acute and chronic inflammation disorders. Examples of suchdisorders are allergic contact dermatitis, rheumatoid arthritis,osteoarthritis, inflammatory bowel diseases, chronic obstructivepulmonary disorder, psoriasis, multiple sclerosis, asthma, diseases anddisorders related to diabetic complications, and inflammatorycomplications of the cardiovascular system such as acute coronarysyndrome. Among inflammatory bowel diseases are Crohn's disease andulcerative colitis.

All cited references are incorporated herein by reference.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention provides compounds of formula I, or pharmaceuticallyacceptable salts, solvates, polymorphs, esters, tautomers or prodrugsthereof:

wherein

Z is H or F;

X is F, Cl, CH₃, CH₂OH, CH₂F, CHF₂, or CF₃;

Y is I, Br, Cl, CF₃, C₁-C₃ alkyl, C₂-C₃ alkenyl, C₂-C₃ alkynyl,cyclopropyl, OMe, OEt, SMe, phenyl or Het, where Het is a 5- to10-membered mono- or bicyclic heterocyclic group, which group issaturated, olefinic, or aromatic, containing 1-5 ring heteroatomsselected independently from N, O, and S; where

-   -   all said phenyl or Het groups are optionally substituted with F,        Cl, Br, I, acetyl, methyl, CN, NO₂, CO₂H, C₁-C₃ alkyl, C₁-C₃        alkoxy, C₁-C₃ alkyl-C(═O)—, C₁-C₃ alkyl-C(═S)—, C₁-C₃        alkoxy-C(═S)—, C₁-C₃ alkyl-C(═O)O—, C₁-C₃ alkyl-0-(C═O)—, C₁-C₃        alkyl-C(═O)NH—, C₁-C₃ alkyl-C(═NH)NH—, C₁-C₃ alkyl-NH—(C═O)—,        di-C₁-C₃ alkyl-N—(C═O)—, C₁-C₃ alkyl-C(═O)N(C₁-C₃ alkyl)-, C₁-C₃        alkyl-S(═O)₂NH— or trifluoromethyl;    -   all said methyl, ethyl, C₁-C₃ alkyl, and cyclopropyl groups are        optionally substituted with OH;    -   all said methyl groups are optionally substituted with one, two,        or three F atoms;

R⁰ is H, F, Cl, Br, I, CH₃NH—, (CH₃)₂N—, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₄ alkoxy,C₃-C₆ cycloalkyl, C₂-C₆ alkenyl, C₂-C₆ alkynyl, phenyl, monosubstitutedphenyl, O(C₁-C₄ alkyl), O—C(═O)(C₁-C₄ alkyl) or C(═O)O(C₁-C₄ alkyl);where

-   -   said alkyl, alkoxy, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl and phenyl        groups are optionally substituted with 1-3 substituents selected        independently from F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CN, cyanomethyl, nitro,        phenyl and trifluoromethyl;    -   said C₁-C₆ alkyl and C₁-C₄ alkoxy groups also optionally        substituted with OCH₃ or OCH₂CH₃; G is G₁, G₂, R_(1a), R_(1b),        R_(1c), R_(1d), R_(1c), Ar₁, Ar₂ or Ar₃; where    -   G₁ is C₁-C₆ alkyl optionally substituted with one amino, C₁-C₃        alkylamino, or dialkylamino group, said dialkylamino group        comprising two C₁-C₄ alkyl groups which may be identical or        non-identical; or    -   G₁ is a C₃-C₈ diamino alkyl group;    -   G₂ is a 5- or 6-membered ring, which is saturated, unsaturated,        or aromatic, containing 1-3 ring heteroatoms selected        independently from N, O, and S, optionally substituted with 1-3        substituents selected independently from F, Cl, OH, O(C₁-C₃        alkyl), OCH₃, OCH₂CH₃, CH₃C(═O)NH, CH₃C(═O)O, CN, CF₃, and a        5-membered aromatic heterocyclic group containing 1-4 ring        heteroatoms selected independently from N, O, and S;    -   R_(1a) is methyl, optionally substituted with 1-3 fluorine atoms        or 1-3 chlorine atoms, or with OH, cyclopropoxy, or C₁-C₃        alkoxy, where said cyclopropoxy group or the C₁-C₃ alkyl        moieties of said C₁-C₃ alkoxy groups are optionally substituted        with one hydroxy or methoxy group, and where all C₃— alkyl        groups within said C₁-C₄ alkoxy are optionally further        substituted with a second OH group;    -   R_(1b) is CH(CH₃)—C₁₋₃ alkyl or C₃-C₆ cycloalkyl, said alkyl and        cycloalkyl groups optionally substituted with 1-3 substituents        selected independently from F, Cl, Br, I, OH, OCH₃, and CN;    -   R_(1c) is (CH₂)_(n)O_(m)R′; where        -   m is 0 or 1; and where            -   when m is 0, n is 1 or 2;            -   when m is 1, n is 2 or 3;        -   R′ is C₁-C₆ alkyl, optionally substituted with 1-3            substituents selected independently from F, Cl, OH, OCH₃,            OCH₂CH₃, and C₃-C₆ cycloalkyl;    -   R_(1d) is C(A)(A′)(B)—; where        -   B is H or C₁₋₄ alkyl, optionally substituted with one or two            OH groups;        -   A and A′ are independently H or C₁₋₄ alkyl, optionally            substituted with one or two OH groups; or        -   A and A′, together with the carbon atom to which they are            attached, form a 3- to 6-member saturated ring;    -   R_(1e) is

-   -   where        -   q is 1 or 2;        -   R₂ and R₃ are each independently, H, F, Cl, Br, CH₃, CH₂F,            CHF₂, CF₃ OCH₃, OCH₂F, OCHF₂, OCF₃, ethyl, n-propyl,            isopropyl, cyclopropyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl or            methylsulfonyl;        -   R₄ is H, F, Cl, Br, CH₃, CH₂F, CHF₂, CF₃ OCH₃, OCH₂F, OCHF₂,            OCF₃, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, cyclopropyl, isobutyl,            sec-butyl, tert-butyl, methylsulfonyl, nitro, acetamido,            amidinyl, cyano, carbamoyl, methylcarbamoyl,            dimethylcarbamoyl, 1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl,            5-methyl-1,3,4-oxadiazol, 1,3,4-thiadiazol,            5-methyl-1,3,4-thiadiazol 1H-tetrazolyl, N-morpholyl            carbonyl amino, N-morpholylsulfonyl and            N-pyrrolidinylcarbonylamino;        -   R₅ is H, F, Cl or methyl;        -   R₆ is H, F, Cl or methyl;    -   Ar₁ is

-   -   where        -   U and V are, independently, N, CR₂ or CR₃;        -   R₂, R₃ and R₄ are, independently, H, F, Cl, Br, CH₃, CH₂F,            CHF₂, CF₃ OCH₃, OCH₂F, OCHF₂, OCF₃, ethyl, n-propyl,            isopropyl, cyclopropyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl,            acetamido, amidinyl, cyano, carbamoyl, methylcarbamoyl,            dimethylcarbamoyl, 1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl,            5-methyl-1,3,4-oxadiazolyl, 1,3,4-thiadiazolyl,            5-methyl-1,3,4-thiadiazolyl, 1H-tetrazolyl,            N-morpholylcarbonylamino, N-morpholylsulfonyl,            N-pyrrolidinylcarbonylamino, and methylsulfonyl;        -   R₅ and R₆ are, independently, H, F, Cl or methyl;    -   Ar₂ is

-   -   where        -   the dashed line represents alternative formal locations for            the second ring double bond;        -   U is —S—, —O— or —N═, and where            -   when U is —O— or —S—, V is —CH═, —CCl═ or —N═;            -   when U is —N═, V is —CH═, —CCl═, or —N═;        -   R₇ is H or methyl;        -   R₈ is H, acetamido, methyl, F or Cl;    -   Ar₃ is

-   -   where        -   U is —NH—, —NCH₃— or —O—;        -   R₇ and R₈ are, independently, H, F, Cl, or methyl.

In some embodiments, the invention provides a compound of formula I,where G is G₁ or G₂. In other embodiments, G is G₁. In further oradditional embodiments, G is G₂.

In some embodiments, the invention provides a compound of formula I,where G is R_(1a), R_(1b), R_(1c), R_(1d), R_(1e), Ar₁, Ar₂ or Ar₃. Infurther or additional embodiments, G is R_(1a), R_(1b), R_(1c), R_(1d)or R_(1e). In further or additional embodiments, G is R_(1a). In furtheror additional embodiments, G is R_(1b). In further or additionalembodiments, G is R_(1c). In further or additional embodiments, G isR_(1d). In further or additional embodiments, G is R_(1c). In further oradditional embodiments, G is Ar₁, Ar₂ or Ar₃. In further or additionalembodiments, G is Ar₁. In further or additional embodiments, G is Ar₂.In further or additional embodiments, G is Ar₃

In some embodiments, the invention provides compounds of formula I, ortheir pharmaceutically acceptable salts. In further or additionalembodiments, the invention provides compounds of formula I, or theirsolvates. In further or additional embodiments, the invention providescompounds of formula I, or their polymorphs. In further or additionalembodiments, the invention provides compounds of formula I, or theirtautomers. In further or additional embodiments, the invention providescompounds of formula I, or their prodrugs.

In some embodiments, Z is H. In some embodiments, Z is F. In someembodiments, X is F. In some embodiments, X is Cl. In some embodiments,X is CH₃. In some embodiments, X is CH₂OH. In some embodiments, X isCH₂F. In some embodiments, X is CHF₂. In some embodiments, X is CF₃. Insome embodiments, X is F, Cl, or CH₃.

In some embodiments, G is G₁ or G₂, X is F, Cl, or CH₃; Y is I, Br, Cl,CF₃, C₁-C₃ alkyl, phenyl, pyridyl, pyrrolyl, pyrazolyl, said phenyl,pyridyl, pyrrolyl, and pyrazolyl groups optionally substituted with F,Cl, Br, I, acetyl, methyl, CN, NO₂, CO₂H, C₁-C₃ alkyl, C₁-C₃ alkoxy,C₁-C₃ alkyl-C(═O)—, C₁-C₃ alkyl-C(═S)—, C₁-C₃ alkoxy-C(═S)—, C₁-C₃alkyl-C(═O)O—, C₁-C₃ alkyl-O—(C═O)—, C₁-C₃ alkyl-C(═O)NH—, C₁-C₃alkyl-C(═NH)NH—, C₁-C₃ alkyl-NH—(C═O)—, di-C₁-C₃ alkyl-N—(C═O)—, C₁-C₃alkyl-C(═O)N(C₁-C₃ alkyl)-, C₁-C₃ alkyl-S(═O)₂NH— or trifluoromethyl;and Z is H or F. In further or additional embodiments, G is G₁ or G₂,and R⁰ is F, Cl, C₁-C₄ alkyl or C₁-C₄ alkoxy, said C₁-C₄ alkyl group andthe C₁-C₄ alkyl moiety of said C₁-C₄ alkoxy group optionally substitutedwith F, Cl, OCH₃, or OCH₂CH₃. In further or additional embodiments, G isG₁ or G₂, and R⁰ is H, F, Cl, C₁-C₄ alkyl, methoxy, ethoxy, or2-methoxy-ethoxy.

In some embodiments, G₁ is N-methyl-2-aminoethyl. In further oradditional embodiments, G₁ is (CH₃)₂N—CH₂CH₂—NH—(CH₂)_(n)—, where n is1, 2, or 3. In further or additional embodiments, G₁ is(CH₃)₂N—CH₂CH₂—NH—(CH₂)_(n)—, where n is 1, 2, or 3, and X is F. Infurther or additional embodiments, G₁ is (CH₃)₂N—CH₂CH₂—NH—(CH₂)_(n)—,where n is 1, 2, or 3, X is F and Z is F.

In some embodiments, G₂ is 1-piperidyl, 2-piperidyl, 3-piperidyl, or4-piperidyl. In further or additional embodiments, G₂ is morpholyl,1-piperazyl, or 2-piperazyl.

In some embodiments, G is R_(1a), R_(1b), R_(1c), R_(1d), R_(1e), Ar₁,Ar₂ or Ar₃ and X is F, Cl, or CH₃. In further or additional embodiments,6 is R_(1a), R_(1b), R_(1c), R_(1d), R_(1e), Ar₁, Ar₂ or Ar₃, X is F,Cl, or CH₃ and Y is I, Br, Cl, CF₃, or C₁-C₃ alkyl In further oradditional embodiments, G is R_(1a), R_(1b), R_(1c), R_(1d), R_(1e),Ar₁, Ar₂ or Ar₃, X is F, Cl, or CH₃, Y is I, Br, Cl, CF₃, or C₁-C₃ alkyland Z is H or F

In further or additional embodiments, G is R_(1a), R_(1b), R_(1c),R_(1d), R_(1e), Ar₁, Ar₂ or Ar₃ and R⁰ is F, Cl, C₁-C₄ alkyl or C₁-C₄alkoxy, said C₁-C₄ alkyl group and the C₁-C₄ alkyl moiety of said C₁-C₄alkoxy group optionally substituted with F, Cl, OCH₃, or OCH₂CH₃. Infurther or additional embodiments, G is R_(1a), R_(1b), R_(1c), R_(1d),R_(1e), Ar₁, Ar₂ or Ar₃ and R⁰ is H, F, Cl, C₁-C₄ alkyl, methoxy,ethoxy, or 2-methoxy-ethoxy.

In some embodiments, G is R_(1a); and Z is F. In further or additionalembodiments, G is R_(1a) where R_(1a) is CH₃, R⁰ is H; and Y is Br, I,CF₃, or CH₃. In some embodiments, G is R_(1b) and Z is F. In further oradditional embodiments, G is R_(1b), Z is F, and R⁰ is H, F, or OCH₃. Infurther or additional embodiments, G is R_(1b), Z is F, R⁰ is H, F, orOCH₃, and X is F or CH₃. In further or additional embodiments, G isR_(1b), Z is F, R⁰ is H, F, or OCH₃, X is F or CH₃ and Y is Br, I orCH₃. In further or additional embodiments, G is R_(1b) where R_(1b) isC₃-C₆ cycloalkyl. In further or additional embodiments, G is R_(1b)where R_(1b) is substituted C₃-C₆ cycloalkyl. In further or additionalembodiments, G is R_(1b) where R_(1b) is unsubstituted C₃-C₆ cycloalkyl.In further or additional embodiments, G is R_(1b) where R_(1b) isunsubstituted C₃-C₆ cycloalkyl and R⁰ is H. In further or additionalembodiments, G is R_(1b) where R_(1b) is isopropyl or cyclopropyl.

In some embodiments, G is R_(1c), and Y is I, Br, CH₃, or CF₃. Infurther or additional embodiments, G is R_(1c), Y is I, Br, CH₃, or CF₃,and Z is F. In further or additional embodiments, G is R_(1c), Y is I,Br, CH₃, or CF₃, Z is F and m is zero.

In some embodiments, G is R_(1d) and R⁰ is fluoro, chloro, methyl,ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, sec-butyl, iso-butyl, tert-butyl, cyclopropyl,cyclobutyl, fluoromethyl, methoxy, fluoromethoxy, methylamino ordimethylamino. In further or additional embodiments, G is R_(1d), R⁰ isfluoro, chloro, methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, sec-butyl, iso-butyl,tert-butyl, cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, fluoromethyl, methoxy,fluoromethoxy, methylamino or dimethylamino and X is F, Cl, CH₃, ormono-, di- or tri-fluoromethyl. In further or additional embodiments, Gis R_(1d), R⁰ is fluoro, chloro, methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl,sec-butyl, iso-butyl, tert-butyl, cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, fluoromethyl,methoxy, fluoromethoxy, methylamino or dimethylamino, X is F, Cl, CH₃,or mono-, di- or tri-fluoromethyl and Y is I, Br, Cl, or mono-, di- ortri-fluoromethyl. In further or additional embodiments, G is R_(1d), R⁰is fluoro, chloro, methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, sec-butyl,iso-butyl, tert-butyl, cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, fluoromethyl, methoxy,fluoromethoxy, methylamino or dimethylamino, X is F, Cl, CH₃, or mono-,di- or tri-fluoromethyl, Y is I, Br, Cl, or mono-, di- ortri-fluoromethyl and Z is H or F. In further or additional embodiments,G is R_(1d) and R⁰ is F, Cl, methyl, ethyl, methoxy, ethoxy, or2-methoxy-ethoxy.

In further or additional embodiments, G is R_(1d), R⁰ is F, Cl, methyl,ethyl, methoxy, ethoxy, or 2-methoxy-ethoxy and X is F, Cl, or CH₃. Infurther or additional embodiments, G is R_(1d), R⁰ is F, Cl, methyl,ethyl, methoxy, ethoxy, or 2-methoxy-ethoxy, X is F, Cl, or CH₃ and Y isI, Br, Cl, or mono-, di- or tri-fluoromethyl. In further or additionalembodiments, G is R_(1d), R⁰ is F, Cl, methyl, ethyl, methoxy, ethoxy,or 2-methoxy-ethoxy, X is F, Cl, or CH₃, Y is I, Br, Cl, or mono-, di-or tri-fluoromethyl and Z is H or F. In further or additionalembodiments, G is R_(1d) and R⁰ is H; X is F, Cl, CH₃, or mono-, di- ortri-fluoromethyl. In further or additional embodiments, G is R_(1d), R⁰is H; X is F, Cl, CH₃, or mono-, di- or tri-fluoromethyl and Y is I, Br,Cl, or mono-, di- or tri-fluoromethyl. In further or additionalembodiments, G is R_(1d), R⁰ is H; X is F, Cl, CH₃, or mono-, di- ortri-fluoromethyl, Y is I, Br, Cl, or mono-, di- or tri-fluoromethyl andZ is H or F.

In further or additional embodiments, G is R_(1d) where R_(1d) isC(A)(A′) is C₁-C₆ cycloalkyl. In further or additional embodiments, G isR_(1d) where R_(1d) is C(A)(A′) is C₁-C₆ cycloalkyl and B is H. Infurther or additional embodiments, G is R_(1d) where R_(1d) is C(A)(A′)is C₁-C₆ cycloalkyl and B is methyl, ethyl, 2-hydroxyethyl, n-propyl,3-hydroxypropyl, 2,3-dihydroxypropyl, 3,4-dihydroxybutyl, isopropyl,1-methyl-2-hydroxy ethyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, isobutyl, or2-hydroxymethyl-3-hydroxy propyl.

In further or additional embodiments, G is R_(1d) where R_(1d) isC(A)(A′) is C₁-C₆ cycloalkyl and B is 2,3-dihydroxypropyl or3,4-dihydroxybutyl. In further or additional embodiments, G is R_(1d)where R_(1d) is C(A)(A′) is C₁-C₆ cycloalkyl and B is2,3-dihydroxypropyl or 3,4-dihydroxybutyl, in which the chiral carbon inB is in the R configuration. In further or additional embodiments, G isR_(1d) where R_(1d) is C(A)(A′) is C₁-C₆ cycloalkyl and B is2,3-dihydroxypropyl or 3,4-dihydroxybutyl, in which the chiral carbon inB is in the S configuration. In further or additional embodiments, G isR_(1d) where R_(1d) is C(A)(A′) is C₁-C₆ cycloalkyl and B is methyl,optionally substituted with one OH group, or C₂-C₄ alkyl, optionallysubstituted with one or two OH groups. In further or additionalembodiments, G is R_(1d) where R_(1d) is C(A)(A′) is C₁-C₆ cycloalkyland R⁰ is fluoro, chloro, methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, sec-butyl,iso-butyl, tert-butyl, cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, fluoromethyl, methoxy,fluoromethoxy, methylamino or dimethylamino. In further or additionalembodiments, G is R_(1d) where R_(1d) is C(A)(A′) is C₁-C₆ cycloalkyland R⁰ is F, Cl, methyl, ethyl, methoxy, ethoxy, or 2-methoxy-ethoxy. Infurther or additional embodiments, G is R_(1d) where R_(1d) is C(A)(A′)is C₁-C₆ cycloalkyl and R⁰ is H; X is F, Cl, CH₃, or mono-, di- ortri-fluoromethyl.

In further or additional embodiments, the invention provides acomposition comprising a compound of formula I, where G is R_(1d) whereR_(1d) is C(A)(A′) is C₁-C₆ cycloalkyl and B is 2,3-dihydroxypropyl or3,4-dihydroxybutyl, in which the chiral carbon in B is in the Rconfiguration, which is substantially free of the S isomer. In furtheror additional embodiments, the invention provides a compositioncomprising a compound of formula I, where G is R_(1d) where R_(1d) isC(A)(A′) is C₁-C₆ cycloalkyl and B is 2,3-dihydroxypropyl, in which thechiral carbon in B is in the R configuration, which is substantiallyfree of the S isomer. In further or additional embodiments, theinvention provides a composition comprising a compound of formula I,where G is R_(1d) where R_(1d) is C(A)(A′) is C₁-C₆ cycloalkyl and B is3,4-dihydroxybutyl, in which the chiral carbon in B is in the Rconfiguration, which is substantially free of the S isomer. In furtheror additional embodiments, the invention provides a compositioncomprising a compound of formula I, where G is R_(1d) where R_(1d) isC(A)(A′) is C₁-C₆ cycloalkyl and B is 2,3-dihydroxypropyl or3,4-dihydroxybutyl, in which the chiral carbon in B is in the Sconfiguration, which is substantially free of the R isomer. In furtheror additional embodiments, the invention provides a compositioncomprising a compound of formula I, where G is R_(1d) where R_(1d) isC(A)(A′) is C₁-C₆ cycloalkyl and B is 2,3-dihydroxypropyl, in which thechiral carbon in B is in the S configuration, which is substantiallyfree of the R isomer. In further or additional embodiments, theinvention provides a composition comprising a compound of formula I,where G is R_(1d) where R_(1d) is C(A)(A′) is C₁-C₆ cycloalkyl and B is3,4-dihydroxybutyl, in which the chiral carbon in B is in the Sconfiguration, which is substantially free of the R isomer.

In further or additional embodiments, G is R_(1d) where R_(1d) isC(A)(A′) is cyclopropyl. In further or additional embodiments, G isR_(1d) where R_(1d) is C(A)(A′) is cyclopropyl and B is H. In further oradditional embodiments, G is R_(1d) where R_(1d) is C(A)(A′) iscyclopropyl and B is methyl, ethyl, 2-hydroxyethyl, n-propyl,3-hydroxypropyl, 2,3-dihydroxypropyl, 3,4-dihydroxybutyl, isopropyl,1-methyl-2-hydroxy ethyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, isobutyl, or2-hydroxymethyl-3-hydroxy propyl. In further or additional embodiments,G is R_(1d) where R_(1d) is C(A)(A′) is cyclopropyl and B is2,3-dihydroxypropyl or 3,4-dihydroxybutyl. In further or additionalembodiments, G is R_(1d) where R_(1d) is C(A)(A′) is cyclopropyl and Bis 2,3-dihydroxypropyl or 3,4-dihydroxybutyl, in which the chiral carbonin B is in the R configuration. In further or additional embodiments, Gis R_(1d) where R_(1d) is C(A)(A′) is cyclopropyl and B is2,3-dihydroxypropyl or 3,4-dihydroxybutyl, in which the chiral carbon inB is in the S configuration. In further or additional embodiments, G isR_(1d) where R_(1d) is C(A)(A′) is cyclopropyl and B is methyl,optionally substituted with one OH group, or C₂-C₄ alkyl, optionallysubstituted with one or two OH groups. In further or additionalembodiments, G is R_(1d) where R_(1d) is C(A)(A′) is cyclopropyl and R₁is fluoro, chloro, methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, sec-butyl,iso-butyl, tert-butyl, cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, fluoromethyl, methoxy,fluoromethoxy, methylamino or dimethylamino. In further or additionalembodiments, G is R_(1d) where R_(1d) is C(A)(A′) is cyclopropyl and R⁰is F, Cl, methyl, ethyl, methoxy, ethoxy, or 2-methoxy-ethoxy. Infurther or additional embodiments, G is R_(1d) where R_(1d) is C(A)(A′)is cyclopropyl and R⁰ is H; X is F, Cl, CH₃, or mono-, di- ortri-fluoromethyl.

In further or additional embodiments, the invention provides acomposition comprising a compound of formula I, where G is R_(1d) whereR_(1d) is C(A)(A′) is cyclopropyl and B is 2,3-dihydroxypropyl or3,4-dihydroxybutyl, in which the chiral carbon in B is in the Rconfiguration, which is substantially free of the S isomer. In furtheror additional embodiments, the invention provides a compositioncomprising a compound of formula I, where G is R_(1d) where R_(1d) isC(A)(A′) is cyclopropyl and B is 2,3-dihydroxypropyl, in which thechiral carbon in B is in the R configuration, which is substantiallyfree of the S isomer. In further or additional embodiments, theinvention provides a composition comprising a compound of formula I,where G is R_(1d) where R_(1d) is C(A)(A′) is cyclopropyl and B is3,4-dihydroxybutyl, in which the chiral carbon in B is in the Rconfiguration, which is substantially free of the S isomer. In furtheror additional embodiments, the invention provides a compositioncomprising a compound of formula I, where G is R_(1d) where R_(1d) isC(A)(A′) is cyclopropyl and B is 2,3-dihydroxypropyl or3,4-dihydroxybutyl, in which the chiral carbon in B is in the Sconfiguration, which is substantially free of the R isomer. In furtheror additional embodiments, the invention provides a compositioncomprising a compound of formula I, where G is R_(1d) where R_(1d) isC(A)(A′) is cyclopropyl and B is 2,3-dihydroxypropyl, in which thechiral carbon in B is in the S configuration, which is substantiallyfree of the R isomer. In further or additional embodiments, theinvention provides a composition comprising a compound of formula I,where G is R_(1d) where R_(1d) is C(A)(A′) is cyclopropyl and B is3,4-dihydroxybutyl, in which the chiral carbon in B is in the Sconfiguration, which is substantially free of the R isomer.

In some embodiments, G is R_(1e) and n is 1. In further or additionalembodiments, G is R_(1e), R⁰ is H, R₄₋₆ are H, R₂ and R₃ are,independently, H, F, Cl, Br, CH₃, CH₂F, CHF₂, CF₃, 0 CH₃, OCH₂F, OCHF₂,OCF₃, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, cyclopropyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl,tert-butyl, and methylsulfonyl, X is F and Y is I.

In some embodiments, G is Ar₁ where Ar₁ is phenyl optionally substitutedwith one group selected from acetamido, amidinyl, cyano, carbamoyl,methylcarbamoyl, dimethylcarbamoyl, 1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl,5-methyl-1,3,4-oxadiazolyl, 1,3,4-thiadiazolyl,5-methyl-1,3,4-thiadiazolyl, 1H-tetrazolyl, N-morpholylcarbonylamino,N-morpholylsulfonyl, N-pyrrolidinylcarbonylamino, and methylsulfonyl,optionally substituted with 1-3 substituents selected independently fromF, Cl, and CH₃. In further or additional embodiments, G is Ar₁ where Ar₁is phenyl optionally substituted with one group selected from acetamido,amidinyl, cyano, carbamoyl, methylcarbamoyl, dimethylcarbamoyl,1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl, 5-methyl-1,3,4-oxadiazolyl, 1,3,4-thiadiazolyl,5-methyl-1,3,4-thiadiazolyl, 1H-tetrazolyl, N-morpholylcarbonylamino,N-morpholylsulfonyl, N-pyrrolidinylcarbonylamino, and methylsulfonyl,optionally substituted with 1-3 substituents selected independently fromF, Cl, and CH₃, R⁰ is H, X is F, Cl, or methyl and Y is Br, I, CF₃,C₁-C₃ alkyl, C₂-C₃ alkenyl, C₂-C₃ alkynyl, cyclopropyl, OCH₃, OCH₂CH₃ orSCH₃. In some embodiments, G is Ar₁ where Ar₁ is

and where R₂ and R₃ are, independently, H, F, Cl, CH₃, CF₃, OCH₃. Infurther or additional embodiments, G is Ar₁ where Ar₁ is

and where R₂ and R₃ are, independently, H, F, Cl, CH₃, CF₃, OCH₃, X is For CH₃, Y is I, Br, or Cl; and Z is F. In further or additionalembodiments, G is Ar₁ where Ar₁ is phenyl or mono-substituted phenyl. Infurther or additional embodiments, G is Ar₁ where Ar₁ is phenyl ormono-substituted phenyl, X is F or CH₃, Y is I, Br, or Cl, Z is F; andR⁰ is F, methyl, ethyl, methoxy, or 2-methoxy-ethoxy. In further oradditional embodiments, G is Ar₁ where U is N or CR₂ and V is N. Infurther or additional embodiments, G is Ar₁ where U is N or CR₂ and V isCR. In further or additional embodiments, G is Ar₁ where U is N or CR₂,V is CR₂, R⁰ is H, X is F, Cl, or methyl and Y is Br, I, CF₃, C₁-C₃alkyl, C₂-C₃ alkenyl, C₂-C₃ alkynyl, cyclopropyl, OCH₃, OCH₂CH₃ or SCH₃.

In some embodiments, G is Ar₂ where Ar₂ is

where R₇ is H or methyl and R₈ is H, acetamido, methyl, F or Cl. Infurther or additional embodiments, G is Ar₂ where Ar₂ is

where R₇ is H or methyl, R₈ is H, acetamido, methyl, F or Cl, R₁ is H, Xis F, Cl, or methyl, Y is Br, I, CF₃, C₁-C₃ alkyl, C₂-C₃ alkenyl, C₂-C₃alkynyl, cyclopropyl, OCH₃, OCH₂CH₃ or SCH₃, and Z is F. In further oradditional embodiments, G is Ar₂ where Ar₂ is

where U is S or O, V is CH═, and R₈ is H or CH₃, R₇ is H or methyl, R₈is H, acetamido, methyl, F or Cl, R⁰ is H, X is F, Cl, or methyl, Y isBr, I, CF₃, C₁-C₃ alkyl, C₂-C₃ alkenyl, C₂-C₃ alkynyl, cyclopropyl,OCH₃, OCH₂CH₃ or SCH₃ and Z is F. In further or additional embodiments,R⁰ is H. In further or additional embodiments, R⁰ is H, X is F or Cl andY is Br, I, CH₂CH₃ or SCH₃

In some embodiments, G is Ar₃ where U is —O—.

In further or additional embodiments, G is R_(1a), where R_(1a) isdefined as above. In further or additional embodiments, G is R_(1a), andR⁰ is H, where R_(1a) is defined as above. In further or additionalembodiments, G is R_(1a) and R⁰ is as defined above, other than H, andR_(1a) is defined as above. In further or additional embodiments, G isR_(1a), where R_(1a) is methyl, monohalomethyl, C₁-C₃ alkoxymethyl, orcyclopropoxymethyl. In further or additional embodiments, G is R_(1a),where R_(1a) is methyl, monohalomethyl, C₁-C₃ alkoxymethyl, orcyclopropoxy methyl and where R⁰ is F, Cl, C₁-C₃ alkyl, monochloro C₁-C₃alkyl, C₁-C₃ alkoxy, trifluoro methoxy, or 2-methoxy-ethoxy.

In further or additional embodiments, G is R_(1b), where R_(1b) isdefined as above. In further or additional embodiments, G is R_(1b), andR⁰ is H, where R_(1b) is defined as above. In further or additionalembodiments, G is R_(1b), R⁰ is H and Z is F, where R_(1b) is defined asabove. In further or additional embodiments, G is R_(1b) and R⁰ is asdefined above, other than H, and R_(1b) is defined as above. In furtheror additional embodiments, G is R_(1b), where R_(1b) is isopropyl,2-butyl, 2-pentyl, cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, or cyclohexyl,all optionally substituted with 1 or 2 substituents selectedindependently from F, Cl, OH, and OCH₃; Y is Br, I, methyl, ortrifluoromethyl. In further or additional embodiments, G is R_(1b),where R_(1b) is isopropyl, 2-butyl, 2-pentyl, cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl,cyclopentyl, or cyclohexyl, optionally substituted with 1 or 2substituents selected independently from F, Cl, OH, and OCH₃; Y is Br,I, methyl, or trifluoromethyl; and R⁰ is F, Cl, C₁-C₃ alkyl, monochloroC₁-C₃ alkyl, C₁-C₃ alkoxy, trifluoromethoxy, or 2-methoxy-ethoxy. Infurther or additional embodiments, G is R_(1b), where R_(1b) isisopropyl, 2-butyl, 2-pentyl, cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, orcyclohexyl, all optionally substituted with one Cl or with 1 or 2 OHgroups; and Y is Br, I, methyl, or trifluoromethyl. In further oradditional embodiments, G is R_(1b), where R_(1b) is isopropyl, 2-butyl,2-pentyl, cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, or cyclohexyl, alloptionally substituted with one Cl or with 1 or 2 OH groups; Y is Br, I,methyl, or trifluoromethyl; and R⁰ is F, Cl, C₁-C₃ alkyl, monochloroC₁-C₃ alkyl, C₁-C₃ alkoxy, trifluoromethoxy, or 2-methoxy-ethoxy.

In further or additional embodiments, G is R_(1c), where R_(1c) isdefined as above. In further or additional embodiments, G is R_(1c), andR⁰ is H, where R_(1c), is defined as above. In further or additionalembodiments, G is R_(1c), and R⁰ is as defined above, other than H, andR_(1c) is defined as above. In further or additional embodiments, G isR_(1c), and R⁰ is H, where R_(1c) is (CH₂)_(n)O_(m)R′, where m is 0 or1, n is 2 or 3 when m is 1, and n is 1 or 2 when m is 0, and R′ is C₁-C₆alkyl, optionally substituted with 1-3 substituents selectedindependently from F, Cl, OH, OCH₃, OCH₂CH₃, and C₃-C₆ cycloalkyl. Inanother more specific subgeneric embodiment, m is zero, n is 1 or 2, andR′ is C₁-C₄ alkyl, optionally substituted as described above. In anothermore specific subgeneric embodiment, m is 1, n is 2 or 3, and R′ isC₁-C₄ alkyl, optionally substituted as described above. In a still morespecific subgeneric embodiment, m is zero, n is 1 or 2, and R′ is C₁-C₄alkyl, optionally substituted with 1-3 groups selected from OH, OCH₃,Cl, and cyclopropyl.

In further or additional embodiments, G is R_(1d), where R_(1d) isdefined as above. In further or additional embodiments, G is R_(1d), andR⁰ is H, where R_(1d) is defined as above. In further or additionalembodiments, G is R_(1d) and R⁰ is as defined above, other than H, andR_(1d) is defined as above. In further or additional embodiments, G isR_(1d), and R⁰ is H, where R_(1d) is C(A)(A′)(B)— where B, A, and A′are, independently, H or C₁₋₄ alkyl, optionally substituted with one ortwo OH groups or halogen atoms, or A and A′, together with the carbonatom to which they are attached, form a 3- to 6-member saturated ring,said ring optionally containing one or two heteroatoms selected,independently, from O, N, and S and optionally substituted with one ortwo groups selected independently from methyl, ethyl, fluoro, chloro,bromo and iodo.

In further or additional embodiments, G is R_(1e), where R_(1e) isdefined as above. In further or additional embodiments, G is R_(1e), andR⁰ is H, where R_(1e) is defined as above. In further or additionalembodiments, G is R_(1e) and R⁰ is as defined above, other than H, andR_(1e) is defined as above.

In further or additional embodiments, G is Ar₁, where Ar₁ is defined asabove. In further or additional embodiments, G is Ar₁, and R⁰ is H,where Ar₁ is defined as above. In further or additional embodiments, Gis Ar₁ and R⁰ is as defined above, other than H, and Ar₁ is defined asabove.

In further or additional embodiments, G is Ar₂, where Ar₂ is defined asabove. In further or additional embodiments, G is Ar₂, and R⁰ is H,where Ar₂ defined as above. In further or additional embodiments, G isAr₂ and R⁰ is as defined above, other than H, and Ar₂ is defined asabove.

In further or additional embodiments, X is F, Cl, or CH₃; Y is I, Br,Cl, CF₃ or C₁-C₃ alkyl, and Z is H or F. In further or additionalembodiments, X is F, Cl, or CH₃: Y is I, Br, Cl, CF₃, or C₁-C₃ alkyl, Zis H or F, and R⁰ is halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, monohalo C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₃-C₆cycloalkyl, C₂-C₆ alkenyl, C₂-C₆ alkynyl, phenyl, monosubstitutedphenyl, OR₃, O—C(═O)R₄, or C(═O)OR₅. In further or additionalembodiments, X is F, Cl, or CH₃: Y is I, Br, Cl, CF₃, or C₁-C₃ alkyl, Zis H or F, and R⁰ is furyl, thienyl, thiazolyl, isothiazolyl, oxazolyl,isoxazolyl, pyrrolyl, or pyrazolyl. In further or additionalembodiments, X is F, Cl, or CH₃: Y is I, Br, Cl, CF₃, or C₁-C₃ alkyl, Zis H or F, and R⁰ is F, Cl, C₁-C₄ alkyl, C₁-C₃ alkoxy, trifluoromethoxy,or 2-methoxy-ethoxy.

In another more specific subgeneric embodiment, R_(1d) is cycloalkyl or1-alkyl-cycloalkyl, in which the 1-alkyl group is optionally substitutedwith one or two OH groups or with one or two halogen atoms.

In another more specific subgeneric embodiment, R⁰ is halogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, monohalo C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₃-C₆ cycloalkyl, C₂-C₆ alkenyl, C₂-C₆alkynyl, phenyl, monosubstituted phenyl, OR₃, O—C(═O)R₄, or C(═O)OR₅;and R_(1d) is cycloalkyl or 1-alkyl-cycloalkyl, in which the 1-alkylgroup is optionally substituted with one or two OH groups or with one ortwo halogen atoms.

In another more specific subgeneric embodiment, R⁰ is furyl, thienyl,thiazolyl, isothiazolyl, oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, pyrrolyl, or pyrazolyl;and R_(1d) is cycloalkyl or 1-alkyl-cycloalkyl, in which the 1-alkylgroup is optionally substituted with one or two OH groups or one or twohalogen atoms.

In another more specific subgeneric embodiment, R_(1d) is cycloalkyl or1-alkyl-cycloalkyl, in which the 1-alkyl group is optionally substitutedwith one or two OH groups, and where Y is Br, I, methyl, ortrifluoromethyl. In another more specific subgeneric embodiment, R_(1d)is cycloalkyl or 1-alkyl-cycloalkyl, in which the 1-alkyl group isoptionally substituted with one or two fluorine or chlorine atoms, andwhere Y is Br, I, methyl, or trifluoromethyl. In another more specificsubgeneric embodiment, R_(1d) is cycloalkyl or (1-alley 1)-cycloalkyl,in which the 1-alkyl group is optionally substituted with one or two OHgroups, and where R⁰ is F, Cl, C₁-C₃ alkyl, monochloro C₁-C₃ alkyl,C₁-C₃ alkoxy, trifluoromethoxy, or 2-methoxy-ethoxy. In another morespecific subgeneric embodiment, R_(1d) is tetrahydrofuryl,tetrahydrothienyl, pyrrolidyl, piperidyl, piperazinyl, or morpholyl,each optionally substituted as described above, and where Y is Br, I,methyl, or trifluoromethyl. In another more specific subgenericembodiment, R_(1d) is oxazolidinyl, thiazolidinyl, isoxazolidinyl,isothiazolidinyl, tetrahydrofuryl, tetrahydrothienyl, pyrrolidyl,piperidyl, piperazinyl, or morpholyl, each optionally substituted asdescribed above, and where Y is Br, I, methyl, or trifluoromethyl. Inanother more specific subgeneric embodiment, R_(1d) is cyclopropyl or1-alkyl-cyclopropyl, in which the 1-alkyl group is optionallysubstituted with one or two OH groups, and where R⁰′ is F, Cl, methyl,ethyl, chloromethyl, C₁-C₂ alkoxy, trifluoromethoxy, or2-methoxy-ethoxy. In an even more specific embodiment, R_(1d) is1-(monohydroxyalkyl)cycloalkyl. In another more specific embodiment,R_(1d) is 1-(monohydroxyalkyl)cycloalkyl, where R⁰ is F, Cl, methyl,ethyl, chloromethyl, C₁-C₂ alkoxy, trifluoromethoxy, or2-methoxy-ethoxy. In an even more specific embodiment, R_(1d) is1-(dihydroxyalkyl)cycloalkyl. In another more specific embodiment,R_(1d) is 1-(dihydroxyalkyl)cycloalkyl, where R⁰ is F, Cl, methyl,ethyl, chloromethyl, C₁-C₂ alkoxy, trifluoromethoxy, or2-methoxy-ethoxy.

In a more specific subgeneric embodiment U is CR₂ and V is N. In anothermore specific, subgeneric embodiment, U and V are both N. In a morespecific, subgeneric embodiment, U is CR₂ and V is CR₃.

In a still more specific subgeneric embodiment, this invention providesa compound of formula I, where G is Ar₁ and Ar₁ is phenyl ormonosubstituted phenyl, R⁰ is F, methyl, ethyl, C₁-C₃ alkoxy,trifluoromethoxy, or 2-methoxy-ethoxy; X is F, Cl, or CH₃; Y is I; and Zis F. In another subgeneric embodiment, this invention provides acompound of formula I, where G is Ar₁, where Ar₁ is phenyl ormonosubstituted phenyl, R⁰ is halogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₃-C₆ cycloalkyl,C₂-C₆ alkenyl, C₂-C₆ alkynyl, all such alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, andalkynyl groups optionally substituted with 1-3 substituents selectedindependently from halogen, OH, CN, cyanomethyl, nitro, phenyl, andtrifluoromethyl; or R⁰ is phenyl, OR₃, furyl, thienyl, thiazolyl,isothiazolyl, oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, pyrrolyl, or pyrazolyl. In a morespecific subgeneric embodiment, this invention provides a compound offormula I, where A is Ar₁, where Ar₁ is phenyl or monosubstitutedphenyl, R⁰ is F, Cl, C₁-C₃ alkyl, C₁-C₃ alkoxy, 2-methoxyethoxy, C₂-C₃alkenyl, C₂-C₃ alkynyl, trifluoromethyl, phenyl, furyl, or thienyl,thiazolyl, isothiazolyl, oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, pyrrolyl, or pyrazolyl; Xis F, Cl, or methyl; Y is I, Br, Cl, CF₃, or C₁-C₃ alkyl; and Z is F.

In another still more specific subgeneric embodiment, this inventionprovides a compound of formula I, where G is Ar₁, where Ar₁ is phenyl ormonosubstituted phenyl, R⁰ is H; X is F, Cl, or CH₃; Y is Br or I; and Zis F.

In another subgeneric embodiment his invention provides a compound offormula I, where G is Ar₂, where Ar₂ is 2-thienyl, 2-furyl, 3-thienyl,3-furyl, 2-pyrrolyl, or 3-pyrrolyl, all optionally substituted withmethoxycarbonyl, methylcarbamoyl, acetamido, acetyl, methyl, ethyl,trifluoromethyl, or halogen. In a more specific subgeneric embodimenthis invention provides a compound of formula I, where G is Ar₂, whereAr₂ is 2-thienyl, 2-furyl, 3-thienyl, 3-furyl, 2-pyrrolyl, or3-pyrrolyl, all optionally substituted with methoxycarbonyl,methylcarbamoyl, acetamido, acetyl, methyl, ethyl, trifluoromethyl, orhalogen; R⁰ is other than H; X is F, Cl, or CH₃: Y is I, Br, Cl, CF₃, orC₁-C₃ alkyl, and Z is H or F. In another subgeneric embodiment thisinvention provides a compound of formula I, where G is Ar₂, where Ar₂ is2-thienyl, 2-furyl, 3-thienyl, 3-furyl, 2-pyrrolyl, or 3-pyrrolyl, alloptionally substituted with methoxycarbonyl, methylcarbamoyl, acetamido,acetyl, methyl, ethyl, trifluoromethyl, or halogen; R⁰ is F, Cl, C₁-C₃alkyl, monochloro C₁-C₃ alkyl, C₁-C₃ alkoxy, trifluoromethoxy,methyloxy-methoxy, or 2-methoxy-ethoxy; X is F, Cl, or CH₃: Y is I, Br,Cl, CF₃, or C₁-C₃ alkyl, and Z is H or F. In another subgenericembodiment his invention provides a compound of formula I, where G isAr₂, where Ar₂ is 2-thienyl, 2-furyl, 3-thienyl, 3-furyl, 2-pyrrolyl, or3-pyrrolyl, all optionally substituted with methoxycarbonyl,methylcarbamoyl, acetamido, acetyl, methyl, ethyl, trifluoromethyl, orhalogen; R⁰ is H; X is F, Cl, or CH₃: Y is I, Br, Cl, CF₃, or C₁-C₃alkyl, and Z is H or F. In another subgeneric embodiment his inventionprovides a compound of formula I, where G is Ar₂, where Ar₂ isthiazolyl, isothiazolyl, oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, pyrrolyl, or pyrazolyl,all optionally substituted with methoxycarbonyl, methylcarbamoyl,acetamido, acetyl, methyl, ethyl, trifluoromethyl, or halogen; R⁰ is Hor methoxy; X is F, Cl, or CH₃: Y is I, Br, Cl, CF₃, or C₁-C₃ alkyl, andZ is H or F.

In some embodiments, the invention provides a compound of formula I,selected from the compounds below:

In some embodiments, the invention provides a compound of formula I,selected from:

where the 2-OH carbon is in the R configuration.

In some embodiments, the invention provides a compound of formula I,selected from:

where the 2-OH carbon is in the S configuration.

In some embodiments, the invention provides a composition comprising acompound of formula I, selected from those shown below, where the 2-OHcarbon is in the R configuration, substantially free of the S— isomer.

In some embodiments, the invention provides a composition comprising acompound of formula I, selected from those shown below, where the 2-OHcarbon is in the S configuration, substantially free of the R— isomer.

In some embodiments, this invention provides a compound of formula I,where Y is phenyl, pyridyl, or pyrazolyl. In another subgenericembodiment, this invention provides a compound of formula I, where Y issubstituted phenyl, pyridyl, or pyrazolyl. In yet another subgenericembodiment, this invention provides a compound of formula I, where Y isBr or I. In one subgeneric embodiment, this invention provides acompound of formula I, where G is 1-piperidyl, 2-piperidyl, 3-piperidyl,or 4-piperidyl. In another subgeneric embodiment, this inventionprovides a compound of formula I, where C is 1-piperazyl or 2-piperazyl.In another subgeneric embodiment, this invention provides a compound offormula I, where G is morpholyl. In another subgeneric embodiment, thisinvention provides a compound of formula I, where G isN-methyl-2-aminoethyl. In one subgeneric embodiment, this inventionprovides a compound of formula I, where G is N-methyl-3-amino-n-propyl.In another subgeneric embodiment, this invention provides a compound offormula I, where G is (CH₃)₂N—CH₂CH₂—NH—(CH₂)_(n)—, where n is 1, 2, or3. In another subgeneric embodiment, this invention provides a compoundof formula I, where G is (CH₃CH₂)₂N—CH₂CH₂—NH—(CH₂)_(n)—, where n is 1or 2. In a more specific subgeneric embodiment, this invention providesa compound of formula I, where G is 1-piperidyl, 2-piperidyl,3-piperidyl, or 4-piperidyl; R⁰ is H, halo, or methoxy; X is F; and Y isI. In another more specific subgeneric embodiment, this inventionprovides a compound of formula I, where G is 1-piperazyl or 2-piperazyl;R⁰ is H, halo, or methoxy; X is F; and Y is I In another more specificsubgeneric embodiment, this invention provides a compound of formula I,where G is morpholyl; R⁰ is H, halo, or methoxy; X is F; and Y is I. Inanother more specific subgeneric embodiment, this invention provides acompound of formula I, where G is N-methyl-2-aminoethyl; R⁰ is H, halo,or methoxy; X is F; and Y is I In another more specific subgenericembodiment, this invention provides a compound of formula I, where G isN-methyl-3-amino-n-propyl; R⁰ is H, halo, or methoxy; X is F; and Y isI. In another more specific subgeneric embodiment, this inventionprovides a compound of formula I, where G is(CH₃)₂N—CH₂CH₂—NH—(CH₂)_(n)—, where n is 1, 2, or 3; R⁰ is H, halo, ormethoxy; X is F; and Y is I. In another more specific subgenericembodiment, this invention provides a compound of formula I, where G is(CH₃CH₂)₂N—CH₂CH₂—NH—(CH₂)_(n)—, where n is 1 or 2; R⁰ is H, halo, ormethoxy; X is F; and Y is I.

In some embodiments, the invention provides a pharmaceutical compositioncomprising a compound of formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptablesalt, solvate, polymorph, ester, tautomer or prodrug thereof. In someembodiments the pharmaceutical composition further comprises at leastone pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

In some embodiments, the invention provides a pharmaceutical compositioncomprising a compound of a compound selected from:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, polymorph, ester,tautomer or prodrug thereof. In some embodiments, the pharmaceuticalcomposition further comprises at least one pharmaceutically acceptablecarrier. In some embodiments, the compound is in the R configuration. Insome embodiments, the compound is in the R configuration, substantiallyfree of the S— isomer. In some embodiments, the compound is in the Sconfiguration. In some embodiments, the compound is in the Sconfiguration, substantially free of the R— isomer. In some embodiments,the compound is:

In some embodiments, the compound is:

In other aspects, the present invention is directed to pharmaceuticalcompositions comprising effective amounts of a compound of formula I ora pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, polymorph, ester, tautomeror prodrug thereof. In some embodiments, the pharmaceutical compositionsfurther comprise a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Suchcompositions may contain adjuvants, excipients, and preservatives,agents for delaying absorption, fillers, binders, adsorbents, buffers,disintegrating agents, solubilizing agents, other carriers, and otherinert ingredients. Methods of formulation of such compositions arewell-known in the art.

In some aspects, the present invention is directed to a method oftreating a disease in an individual suffering from said diseasecomprising administering to said individual an effective amount of acomposition comprising a compound of formula I or a pharmaceuticallyacceptable salt, solvate, polymorph, ester, tautomer or prodrug thereof.

In other aspects, the present invention is directed to a method oftreating a disorder in a mammal, comprising administering to said mammala therapeutically effective amount of the compound of formula I or apharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, polymorph, ester, tautomer orprodrug thereof

In other aspects, the present invention is directed to a method oftreating a disorder in a human, comprising administering to said mammala therapeutically effective amount of the compound of formula I or apharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, polymorph, ester, tautomer orprodrug thereof

In other aspects, the present invention is directed to a method oftreating a hyperproliferative disorder in a mammal, including a human,comprising administering to said mammal a therapeutically effectiveamount of the compound of formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptablesalt, solvate, polymorph, ester, tautomer or prodrug thereof.

In other aspects, the present invention is directed to a method oftreating an inflammatory disease, condition, or disorder in a mammal,including a human, comprising administering to said mammal atherapeutically effective amount of the compound of formula I, or apharmaceutically acceptable salt, ester, prodrug, solvate, hydrate orderivative thereof.

In other aspects, the present invention is directed to a method oftreating a disorder or condition which is modulated by the MEK cascadein a mammal, including a human, comprising administering to said mammalan amount of the compound of formula I, or a pharmaceutically acceptablesalt, ester, prodrug, solvate, hydrate or derivative thereof, effectiveto modulate said cascade. The appropriate dosage for a particularpatient can be determined, according to known methods, by those skilledin the art.

In other aspects, the present invention is directed to a pharmaceuticalcomposition comprising a compound of formula I or a pharmaceuticallyacceptable salt, solvate, polymorph, ester, tautomer or prodrug thereof.In some embodiments, the pharmaceutical composition is in a formsuitable for oral administration. In further or additional embodiments,the pharmaceutical composition is in the form of a tablet, capsule,pill, powder, sustained release formulation, solution, suspension, forparenteral injection as a sterile solution, suspension or emulsion, fortopical administration as an ointment or cream or for rectaladministration as a suppository. In further or additional embodiments,the pharmaceutical composition is in unit dosage forms suitable forsingle administration of precise dosages. In further or additionalembodiments the amount of compound of formula I is in the range of about0.001 to about 1000 mg/kg body weight/day. In further or additionalembodiments the amount of compound of formula I is in the range of about0.5 to about 50 mg/kg/day. In further or additional embodiments theamount of compound of formula I is about 0.001 to about 7 g/day. Infurther or additional embodiments the amount of compound of formula I isabout 0.002 to about 6 g/day. In further or additional embodiments theamount of compound of formula I is about 0.005 to about 5 g/day. Infurther or additional embodiments the amount of compound of formula I isabout 0.01 to about 5 g/day. In further or additional embodiments theamount of compound of formula I is about 0.02 to about 5 g/day. Infurther or additional embodiments the amount of compound of formula I isabout 0.05 to about 2.5 g/day. In further or additional embodiments theamount of compound of formula I is about 0.1 to about 1 g/day. Infurther or additional embodiments, dosage levels below the lower limitof the aforesaid range may be more than adequate. In further oradditional embodiments, dosage levels above the upper limit of theaforesaid range may be required. In further or additional embodimentsthe compound of formula I is administered in a single dose, once daily.In further or additional embodiments the compound of formula I isadministered in multiple doses, more than once per day. In further oradditional embodiments the compound of formula I is administered twicedaily. In further or additional embodiments the compound of formula I isadministered three times per day. In further or additional embodimentsthe compound of formula I is administered four times per day. In furtheror additional embodiments the compound of formula I is administered morethan four times per day. In some embodiments, the pharmaceuticalcomposition is for administration to a mammal. In further or additionalembodiments, the mammal is human. In further or additional embodiments,the pharmaceutical composition further comprises a pharmaceuticalcarrier, excipient and/or adjuvant. In further or additionalembodiments, the pharmaceutical composition further comprises at leastone therapeutic agent In further or additional embodiments, thetherapeutic agent is selected from the group of cytotoxic agents,anti-angiogenesis agents and anti-neoplastic agents. In further oradditional embodiments, the anti-neoplastic agent is selected from thegroup of consisting of alkylating agents, anti-metabolites,epidophyllotoxins; antineoplastic enzymes, topoisomerase inhibitors,procarbazines, mitoxantrones, platinum coordination complexes,biological response modifiers and growth inhibitors,hormonal/anti-hormonal therapeutic agents, and haematopoietic growthfactors. In further or additional embodiments, the therapeutic agent istaxol, bortezomib or both. In further or additional embodiments, thepharmaceutical composition is administered in combination with anadditional therapy. In further or additional embodiments, the additionaltherapy is radiation therapy, chemotherapy or a combination of both. Infurther or additional embodiments, the pharmaceutical compositioncomprises a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of a compound of formula I.

In other aspects, the present invention is directed to a method forinhibiting a MEK enzyme. In some embodiments, the method comprisescontacting said MEK enzyme with an amount of a composition comprising acompound of formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate,polymorph, ester, tautomer or prodrug thereof, sufficient to inhibitsaid enzyme, wherein said enzyme is inhibited. In further or additionalembodiments the enzyme is at least about 1% inhibited. In further oradditional embodiments the enzyme is at least about 2% inhibited. Infurther or additional embodiments the enzyme is at least about 3%inhibited. In further or additional embodiments the enzyme is at leastabout 4% inhibited. In further or additional embodiments the enzyme isat least about 5% inhibited. In further or additional embodiments theenzyme is at least about 10% inhibited. In further or additionalembodiments the enzyme is at least about 20% inhibited. In further oradditional embodiments the enzyme is at least about 25% inhibited. Infurther or additional embodiments the enzyme is at least about 30%inhibited. In further or additional embodiments the enzyme is at leastabout 40% inhibited. In further or additional embodiments the enzyme isat least about 50% inhibited. In further or additional embodiments theenzyme is at least about 60% inhibited. In further or additionalembodiments the enzyme is at least about 70% inhibited. In further oradditional embodiments the enzyme is at least about 75% inhibited. Infurther or additional embodiments the enzyme is at least about 80%inhibited. In further or additional embodiments the enzyme is at leastabout 90% inhibited. In further or additional embodiments the enzyme isessentially completely inhibited. In further or additional embodimentsthe MEK enzyme is MEK kinase. In further or additional embodiments theMEK enzyme is MEK1. In further or additional embodiments the MEK enzymeis MEK2. In further or additional embodiments the contacting occurswithin a cell. In further or additional embodiments the cell is amammalian cell. In further or additional embodiments the mammalian cellis a human cell. In further or additional embodiments, the MEK enzyme isinhibited with a composition comprising a pharmaceutically acceptablesalt of a compound of formula I.

In other aspects, the present invention is directed to a method oftreatment of a MEK mediated disorder in an individual suffering fromsaid disorder comprising administering to said individual an effectiveamount of a composition comprising a compound of formula I or apharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, polymorph, ester, tautomer orprodrug thereof. In some embodiments, the composition comprising acompound of formula I is administered orally, intraduodenally,parenterally (including intravenous, subcutaneous, intramuscular,intravascular or by infusion), topically or rectally. In someembodiments, the pharmaceutical composition is in a form suitable fororal administration. In further or additional embodiments, thepharmaceutical composition is in the form of a tablet, capsule, pill,powder, sustained release formulations, solution, suspension, forparenteral injection as a sterile solution, suspension or emulsion, fortopical administration as an ointment or cream or for rectaladministration as a suppository. In further or additional embodiments,the pharmaceutical composition is in unit dosage forms suitable forsingle administration of precise dosages. In further or additionalembodiments, the pharmaceutical composition further comprises apharmaceutical carrier, excipient and/or adjuvant. In further oradditional embodiments the amount of compound of formula I is in therange of about 0.001 to about 1000 mg/kg body weight/day. In further oradditional embodiments the amount of compound of formula I is in therange of about 0.5 to about 50 mg/kg/day. In further or additionalembodiments the amount of compound of formula I is about 0.001 to about7 g/day. In further or additional embodiments the amount of compound offormula I is about 0.01 to about 7 g/day. In further or additionalembodiments the amount of compound of formula I is about 0.02 to about 5g/day. In further or additional embodiments the amount of compound offormula I is about 0.05 to about 2.5 g/day. In further or additionalembodiments the amount of compound of formula I is about 0.1 to about 1g/day. In further or additional embodiments, dosage levels below thelower limit of the aforesaid range may be more than adequate. In furtheror additional embodiments, dosage levels above the upper limit of theaforesaid range may be required. In further or additional embodimentsthe compound of formula I is administered in a single dose, once daily.In further or additional embodiments the compound of formula I isadministered in multiple doses, more than once per day. In further oradditional embodiments the compound of formula I is administered twicedaily. In further or additional embodiments the compound of formula I isadministered three times per day. In further or additional embodimentsthe compound of formula I is administered four times per day. In furtheror additional embodiments the compound of formula I is administered morethan four times per day. In some embodiments, the individual sufferingfrom the MEK mediated disorder is a mammal. In further or additionalembodiments, the individual is a human. In some embodiments, thecomposition comprising a compound of formula I is administered incombination with an additional therapy. In further or additionalembodiments, the additional therapy is radiation therapy, chemotherapyor a combination of both. In further or additional embodiments, thecomposition comprising a compound of formula I is administered incombination with at least one therapeutic agent. In further oradditional embodiments, the therapeutic agent is selected from the groupof cytotoxic agents, anti-angiogenesis agents and anti-neoplasticagents. In further or additional embodiments, the anti-neoplastic agentis selected from the group of consisting of alkylating agents,anti-metabolites, epidophyllotoxins; antineoplastic enzymes,topoisomerase inhibitors, procarbazines, mitoxantrones, platinumcoordination complexes, biological response modifiers and growthinhibitors, hormonal/anti-hormonal therapeutic agents, andhaematopoietic growth factors. In further or additional embodiments, thetherapeutic agent is selected from taxol, bortezomib or both. In someembodiments, the MEK mediated disorder is selected from the groupconsisting of inflammatory diseases, infections, autoimmune disorders,stroke, ischemia, cardiac disorder, neurological disorders, fibrogeneticdisorders, proliferative disorders, hyperproliferative disorders,non-cancer hyperproliferative disorders, tumors, leukemias, neoplasms,cancers, carcinomas, metabolic diseases, malignant disease, vascularrestenosis, psoriasis, atherosclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis,osteoarthritis, heart failure, chronic pain, neuropathic pain, dry eye,closed angle glaucoma and wide angle glaucoma. In further or additionalembodiments, the MEK mediated disorder is an inflammatory disease. Infurther or additional embodiments, the MEK mediated disorder is ahyperproliferative disease. In further or additional embodiments, theMEK mediated disorder is selected from the group consisting of tumors,leukemias, neoplasms, cancers, carcinomas and malignant disease. Infurther or additional embodiments, the cancer is brain cancer, breastcancer, lung cancer, ovarian cancer, pancreatic cancer, prostate cancer,renal cancer, colorectal cancer or leukemia. In further or additionalembodiments, the fibrogenetic disorder is scleroderma, polymyositis,systemic lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, liver cirrhosis, keloid formation,interstitial nephritis or pulmonary fibrosis. In further or additionalembodiments, an effective amount of a composition comprising apharmaceutically acceptable salt of a compound of formula I isadministered.

In other aspects, the present invention is directed to a method fordegrading, inhibiting the growth of or killing a cancer cell comprisingcontacting said cell with an amount of a composition effective todegrade, inhibit the growth of or to kill said cell, the compositioncomprising a compound of formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptablesalt, solvate, polymorph, ester, tautomer or prodrug thereof. In someembodiments, the cancer cells comprise brain, breast, lung, ovarian,pancreatic, prostate, renal, or colorectal cancer cells. In further oradditional embodiments, the composition is administered with at leastone therapeutic agent. In further or additional embodiments, thetherapeutic agent is taxol, bortezomib or both. In further or additionalembodiments, the therapeutic agent is selected from the group consistingof cytotoxic agents, anti-angiogenesis agents and anti-neoplasticagents. In further or additional embodiments, the anti-neoplastic agentsselected from the group of consisting of alkylating agents,anti-metabolites, epidophyllotoxins; antineoplastic enzymes,topoisomerase inhibitors, procarbazines, mitoxantrones, platinumcoordination complexes, biological response modifiers and growthinhibitors, hormonal/anti-hormonal therapeutic agents, andhaematopoietic growth factors. In some embodiments, the cancer cells aredegraded. In further or additional embodiments, 1% of the cancer cellsare degraded. In further or additional embodiments, 2% of the cancercells are degraded. In further or additional embodiments, 3% of thecancer cells are degraded. In further or additional embodiments, 4% ofthe cancer cells are degraded. In further or additional embodiments, 5%of the cancer cells are degraded. In further or additional embodiments,10% of the cancer cells are degraded. In further or additionalembodiments, 20% of the cancer cells are degraded. In further oradditional embodiments, 25% of the cancer cells are degraded. In furtheror additional embodiments, 30% of the cancer cells are degraded. Infurther or additional embodiments, 40% of the cancer cells are degraded.In further or additional embodiments, 50% of the cancer cells aredegraded. In further or additional embodiments, 60% of the cancer cellsare degraded. In further or additional embodiments, 70% of the cancercells are degraded. In further or additional embodiments, 75% of thecancer cells are degraded. In further or additional embodiments, 80% ofthe cancer cells are degraded. In further or additional embodiments, 90%of the cancer cells are degraded. In further or additional embodiments,100% of the cancer cells are degraded. In further or additionalembodiments, essentially all of the cancer cells are degraded. In someembodiments, the cancer cells are killed. In further or additionalembodiments, 1% of the cancer cells are killed. In further or additionalembodiments, 2% of the cancer cells are killed. In further or additionalembodiments, 3% of the cancer cells are killed. In further or additionalembodiments, 4% of the cancer cells are killed. In further or additionalembodiments, 5% of the cancer cells are killed. In further or additionalembodiments, 10% of the cancer cells are killed. In further oradditional embodiments, 20% of the cancer cells are killed. In furtheror additional embodiments, 25% of the cancer cells are killed. Infurther or additional embodiments, 30% of the cancer cells are killed.In further or additional embodiments, 40% of the cancer cells arekilled. In further or additional embodiments, 50% of the cancer cellsare killed. In further or additional embodiments, 60% of the cancercells are killed. In further or additional embodiments, 70% of thecancer cells are killed. In further or additional embodiments, 75% ofthe cancer cells are killed. In further or additional embodiments, 80%of the cancer cells are killed. In further or additional embodiments,90% of the cancer cells are killed. In further or additionalembodiments, 100% of the cancer cells are killed. In further oradditional embodiments, essentially all of the cancer cells are killed.In further or additional embodiments, the growth of the cancer cells isinhibited. In further or additional embodiments, the growth of thecancer cells is about 1% inhibited. In further or additionalembodiments, the growth of the cancer cells is about 2% inhibited. Infurther or additional embodiments, the growth of the cancer cells isabout 3% inhibited. In further or additional embodiments, the growth ofthe cancer cells is about 4% inhibited. In further or additionalembodiments, the growth of the cancer cells is about 5% inhibited. Infurther or additional embodiments, the growth of the cancer cells isabout 10% inhibited. In further or additional embodiments, the growth ofthe cancer cells is about 20% inhibited. In Thither or additionalembodiments, the growth of the cancer cells is about 25% inhibited. Infurther or additional embodiments, the growth of the cancer cells isabout 30% inhibited. In further or additional embodiments, the growth ofthe cancer cells is about 40% inhibited. In further or additionalembodiments, the growth of the cancer cells is about 50% inhibited. Infurther or additional embodiments, the growth of the cancer cells isabout 60% inhibited. In further or additional embodiments, the growth ofthe cancer cells is about 70% inhibited. In further or additionalembodiments, the growth of the cancer cells is about 75% inhibited. Infurther or additional embodiments, the growth of the cancer cells isabout 80% inhibited. In further or additional embodiments, the growth ofthe cancer cells is about 90% inhibited. In further or additionalembodiments, the growth of the cancer cells is about 100% inhibited. Infurther or additional embodiments, a composition comprising apharmaceutically acceptable salt of a compound of formula I is used.

In other aspects, the present invention is directed to a method for thetreatment or prophylaxis of a proliferative disease in an individualcomprising administering to said individual an effective amount of acomposition comprising a compound of formula I or a pharmaceuticallyacceptable salt, solvate, polymorph, ester, tautomer or prodrug thereof.In some embodiments, the proliferative disease is cancer, psoriasis,restenosis, autoimmune disease, or atherosclerosis. In further oradditional embodiments, the proliferative disease is ahyperproliferative disease. In further or additional embodiments, theproliferative disease is selected from the group consisting of tumors,leukemias, neoplasms, cancers, carcinomas and malignant disease. Infurther or additional embodiments, the cancer is brain cancer, breastcancer, lung cancer, ovarian cancer, pancreatic cancer, prostate cancer,renal cancer, colorectal cancer or leukemia. In further or additionalembodiments, the fibrogenetic disorder is scleroderma, polymyositis,systemic lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, liver cirrhosis, keloid formation,interstitial nephritis or pulmonary fibrosis. In further or additionalembodiments, the cancer is brain cancer, breast cancer, lung cancer,ovarian cancer, pancreatic cancer, prostate cancer, renal cancer,colorectal cancer or leukemia. In further or additional embodiments, thecancer is brain cancer or adrenocortical carcinoma. In further oradditional embodiments, the cancer is breast cancer. In further oradditional embodiments, the cancer is ovarian cancer. In further oradditional embodiments, the cancer is pancreatic cancer. In further oradditional embodiments, the cancer is prostate cancer. In further oradditional embodiments, the cancer is renal cancer. In further oradditional embodiments, the cancer is colorectal cancer. In further oradditional embodiments, the cancer is myeloid leukemia. In further oradditional embodiments, the cancer is glioblastoma. In further oradditional embodiments, the cancer is follicular lymphoma. In further oradditional embodiments, the cancer is pre-B acute leukemia. In furtheror additional embodiments, the cancer is chronic lymphocytic B-leukemia.In further or additional embodiments, the cancer is mesothelioma. Infurther or additional embodiments, the cancer is small cell line cancer.In some embodiments, the composition comprising a compound of formula Iis administered in combination with an additional therapy. In further oradditional embodiments, the additional therapy is radiation therapy,chemotherapy or a combination of both. In further or additionalembodiments, the composition comprising a compound of formula I isadministered in combination with at least one therapeutic agent. Infurther or additional embodiments, the therapeutic agent is selectedfrom the group of cytotoxic agents, anti-angiogenesis agents andanti-neoplastic agents. In further or additional embodiments, theanti-neoplastic agent is selected from the group of consisting ofalkylating agents, anti-metabolites, epidophyllotoxins; antineoplasticenzymes, topoisomerase inhibitors, procarbazines, mitoxantrones,platinum coordination complexes, biological response modifiers andgrowth inhibitors, hormonal/anti-hormonal therapeutic agents, andhaematopoietic growth factors. In further or additional embodiments, thetherapeutic agent is selected from taxol, bortezomib or both. In someembodiments, the composition is administered orally, intraduodenally,parenterally (including intravenous, subcutaneous, intramuscular,intravascular or by infusion), topically or rectally. In further oradditional embodiments the amount of compound of formula I is in therange of about 0.001 to about 1000 mg/kg body weight/day. In further oradditional embodiments the amount of compound of formula I is in therange of about 0.5 to about 50 mg/kg/day. In further or additionalembodiments the amount of compound of formula I is about 0.001 to about7 g/day. In further or additional embodiments the amount of compound offormula I is about 0.01 to about 7 g/day. In further or additionalembodiments the amount of compound of formula I is about 0.02 to about 5g/day. In further or additional embodiments the amount of compound offormula I is about 0.05 to about 2.5 g/day. In further or additionalembodiments the amount of compound of formula I is about 0.1 to about 1g/day. In further or additional embodiments, dosage levels below thelower limit of the aforesaid range may be more than adequate. In furtheror additional embodiments, dosage levels above the upper limit of theaforesaid range may be required. In further or additional embodimentsthe compound of formula I is administered in a single dose, once daily.In further or additional embodiments the compound of formula I isadministered in multiple doses, more than once per day. In further oradditional embodiments the compound of formula I is administered twicedaily. In further or additional embodiments the compound of formula I isadministered three times per day. In further or additional embodimentsthe compound of formula I is administered four times per day. In furtheror additional embodiments the compound of formula I is administered morethan four times per day. In some embodiments, the individual sufferingfrom the proliferative disease is a mammal. In further or additionalembodiments, the individual is a human. In further or additionalembodiments, an effective amount of a composition comprising apharmaceutically acceptable salt of a compound of formula I isadministered.

In other aspects, the present invention is directed to a method for thetreatment or prophylaxis of an inflammatory disease in an individualcomprising administering to said individual an effective amount of acomposition comprising a compound of formula I or a pharmaceuticallyacceptable salt, solvate, polymorph, ester, tautomer or prodrug thereof.In further or additional embodiments, the inflammatory disease isselected from chronic inflammatory diseases, rheumatoid arthritis,rheumatoid arthritis, spondyloarthropathies, gouty arthritis,osteoarthritis, juvenile arthritis, acute rheumatic arthritis,enteropathic arthritis, neuropathic arthritis, psoriatic arthritis,pyogenic arthritis, atherosclerosis, systemic lupus erythematosus,inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, ulcerativecolitis, reflux esophagitis, Crohn's disease, gastritis, asthma,allergies, respiratory distress syndrome, pancreatitis, chronicobstructive pulmonary disease, pulmonary fibrosis, psoriasis, eczema orscleroderma. In some embodiments, the composition comprising a compoundof formula I is administered in combination with an additional therapy.In further or additional embodiments, the composition comprising acompound of formula I is administered in combination with at least onetherapeutic agent. In some embodiments, the composition is administeredorally, intraduodenally, parenterally (including intravenous,subcutaneous, intramuscular, intravascular or by infusion), topically orrectally. In further or additional embodiments the amount of compound offormula I is in the range of about 0.001 to about 1000 mg/kg bodyweight/day. In further or additional embodiments the amount of compoundof formula I is in the range of about 0.5 to about 50 mg/kg/day. Infurther or additional embodiments the amount of compound of formula I isabout 0.001 to about 7 g/day. In further or additional embodiments theamount of compound of formula I is about 0.01 to about 7 g/day. Infurther or additional embodiments the amount of compound of formula I isabout 0.02 to about 5 g/day. In further or additional embodiments theamount of compound of formula I is about 0.05 to about 2.5 g/day. Infurther or additional embodiments the amount of compound of formula I isabout 0.1 to about 1 g/day. In further or additional embodiments, dosagelevels below the lower limit of the aforesaid range may be more thanadequate. In further or additional embodiments, dosage levels above theupper limit of the aforesaid range may be required. In further oradditional embodiments the compound of formula I is administered in asingle dose, once daily. In further or additional embodiments thecompound of formula I is administered in multiple doses, more than onceper day. In further or additional embodiments the compound of formula Iis administered twice daily. In further or additional embodiments thecompound of formula I is administered three times per day. In further oradditional embodiments the compound of formula I is administered fourtimes per day. In further or additional embodiments the compound offormula I is administered more than four times per day. In someembodiments, the individual suffering from the inflammatory disease is amammal. In further or additional embodiments, the individual is a human.In further or additional embodiments, an effective amount of acomposition comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of a compoundof formula I is administered.

In other aspects, the present invention is directed to a method for thetreatment or prophylaxis of cancer in an individual comprisingadministering to said individual an effective amount of a compositioncomprising a compound of formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptablesalt, solvate, polymorph, ester, tautomer or prodrug thereof. In furtheror additional embodiments, the cancer is brain cancer, breast cancer,lung cancer, ovarian cancer, pancreatic cancer, prostate cancer, renalcancer, colorectal cancer or leukemia. In further or additionalembodiments, the fibrogenetic disorder is scleroderma, polymyositis,systemic lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, liver cirrhosis, keloid formation,interstitial nephritis or pulmonary fibrosis. In further or additionalembodiments, the cancer is brain cancer, breast cancer, lung cancer,ovarian cancer, pancreatic cancer, prostate cancer, renal cancer,colorectal cancer or leukemia. In further or additional embodiments, thecancer is brain cancer or adrenocortical carcinoma. In further oradditional embodiments, the cancer is breast cancer. In further oradditional embodiments, the cancer is ovarian cancer. In further oradditional embodiments, the cancer is pancreatic cancer. In further oradditional embodiments, the cancer is prostate cancer. In further oradditional embodiments, the cancer is renal cancer. In further oradditional embodiments, the cancer is colorectal cancer. In further oradditional embodiments, the cancer is myeloid leukemia. In further oradditional embodiments, the cancer is glioblastoma. In further oradditional embodiments, the cancer is follicular lymphoma. In further oradditional embodiments, the cancer is pre-B acute leukemia. In furtheror additional embodiments, the cancer is chronic lymphocytic B-leukemia.In further or additional embodiments, the cancer is mesothelioma. Infurther or additional embodiments, the cancer is small cell line cancer.In some embodiments, the composition comprising a compound of formula Iis administered in combination with an additional therapy. In further oradditional embodiments, the additional therapy is radiation therapy,chemotherapy or a combination of both. In further or additionalembodiments, the composition comprising a compound of formula I isadministered in combination with at least one therapeutic agent. Infurther or additional embodiments, the therapeutic agent is selectedfrom the group of cytotoxic agents, anti-angiogenesis agents andanti-neoplastic agents. In further or additional embodiments, theanti-neoplastic agent is selected from the group of consisting ofalkylating agents, anti-metabolites, epidophyllotoxins; antineoplasticenzymes, topoisomerase inhibitors, procarbazines, mitoxantrones,platinum coordination complexes, biological response modifiers andgrowth inhibitors, hormonal/anti-hormonal therapeutic agents, andhaematopoietic growth factors. In further or additional embodiments, thetherapeutic agent is selected from taxol, bortezomib or both. In someembodiments, the composition is administered orally, intraduodenally,parenterally (including intravenous, subcutaneous, intramuscular,intravascular or by infusion), topically or rectally. In further oradditional embodiments the amount of compound of formula I is in therange of about 0.001 to about 1000 mg/kg body weight/day. In further oradditional embodiments the amount of compound of formula I is in therange of about 0.5 to about 50 mg/kg/day. In further or additionalembodiments the amount of compound of formula I is about 0.001 to about7 g/day. In further or additional embodiments the amount of compound offormula I is about 0.01 to about 7 g/day. In further or additionalembodiments the amount of compound of formula I is about 0.02 to about 5g/day. In further or additional embodiments the amount of compound offormula I is about 0.05 to about 2.5 g/day. In further or additionalembodiments the amount of compound of formula I is about 0.1 to about 1g/day. In further or additional embodiments, dosage levels below thelower limit of the aforesaid range may be more than adequate. In furtheror additional embodiments, dosage levels above the upper limit of theaforesaid range may be required. In further or additional embodimentsthe compound of formula I is administered in a single dose, once daily.In further or additional embodiments the compound of formula I isadministered in multiple doses, more than once per day. In further oradditional embodiments the compound of formula I is administered twicedaily. In further or additional embodiments the compound of formula I isadministered three times per day. In further or additional embodimentsthe compound of formula I is administered four times per day. In furtheror additional embodiments the compound of formula I is administered morethan four times per day. In some embodiments, the individual sufferingfrom cancer is a mammal. In further or additional embodiments, theindividual is a human. In further or additional embodiments, aneffective amount of a composition comprising a pharmaceuticallyacceptable salt of a compound of formula I is administered.

In other aspects, the present invention is directed to a method ofreducing the size of a tumor, inhibiting tumor size increase, reducingtumor proliferation or preventing tumor proliferation in an individual,comprising administering to said individual an effective amount of acomposition comprising a compound of formula I or a pharmaceuticallyacceptable salt, solvate, polymorph, ester, tautomer or prodrug thereof.In some embodiments, the size of a tumor is reduced. In further oradditional embodiments, the size of a tumor is reduced by at least 1%.In further or additional embodiments, the size of a tumor is reduced byat least 2%. In further or additional embodiments, the size of a tumoris reduced by at least 3%. In further or additional embodiments, thesize of a tumor is reduced by at least 4%. In further or additionalembodiments, the size of a tumor is reduced by at least 5%. In furtheror additional embodiments, the size of a tumor is reduced by at least10%. In further or additional embodiments, the size of a tumor isreduced by at least 20%. In further or additional embodiments, the sizeof a tumor is reduced by at least 25%. In further or additionalembodiments, the size of a tumor is reduced by at least 30%. In furtheror additional embodiments, the size of a tumor is reduced by at least40%. In further or additional embodiments, the size of a tumor isreduced by at least 50%. In further or additional embodiments, the sizeof a tumor is reduced by at least 60%. In further or additionalembodiments, the size of a tumor is reduced by at least 70%. In furtheror additional embodiments, the size of a tumor is reduced by at least75%. In further or additional embodiments, the size of a tumor isreduced by at least 80%. In further or additional embodiments, the sizeof a tumor is reduced by at least 85%. In further or additionalembodiments, the size of a tumor is reduced by at least 90%. In furtheror additional embodiments, the size of a tumor is reduced by at least95%. In further or additional embodiments, the tumor is eradicated. Insome embodiments, the size of a tumor does not increase. In someembodiments, tumor proliferation is reduced. In some embodiments, tumorproliferation is reduced by at least 1%. In some embodiments, tumorproliferation is reduced by at least 2%. In some embodiments, tumorproliferation is reduced by at least 3%. In some embodiments, tumorproliferation is reduced by at least 4%. In some embodiments, tumorproliferation is reduced by at least 5%. In some embodiments, tumorproliferation is reduced by at least 10%. In some embodiments, tumorproliferation is reduced by at least 20%. In some embodiments, tumorproliferation is reduced by at least 25%. In some embodiments, tumorproliferation is reduced by at least 30%. In some embodiments, tumorproliferation is reduced by at least 40%. In some embodiments, tumorproliferation is reduced by at least 50%. In some embodiments, tumorproliferation is reduced by at least 60%. In some embodiments, tumorproliferation is reduced by at least 70%. In some embodiments, tumorproliferation is reduced by at least 75%. In some embodiments, tumorproliferation is reduced by at least 75%. In some embodiments, tumorproliferation is reduced by at least 80%. In some embodiments, tumorproliferation is reduced by at least 90%. In some embodiments, tumorproliferation is reduced by at least 95%. In some embodiments, tumorproliferation is prevented. In some embodiments, the compositioncomprising a compound of formula I is administered in combination withan additional therapy. In further or additional embodiments, theadditional therapy is radiation therapy, chemotherapy or a combinationof both. In further or additional embodiments, the compositioncomprising a compound of formula I is administered in combination withat least one therapeutic agent. In further or additional embodiments,the therapeutic agent is selected from the group of cytotoxic agents,anti-angiogenesis agents and anti-neoplastic agents. In further oradditional embodiments, the anti-neoplastic agent is selected from thegroup of consisting of alkylating agents, anti-metabolites,epidophyllotoxins; antineoplastic enzymes, topoisomerase inhibitors,procarbazines, mitoxantrones, platinum coordination complexes,biological response modifiers and growth inhibitors,hormonal/anti-hormonal therapeutic agents, and haematopoietic growthfactors. In further or additional embodiments, the therapeutic agent isselected from taxol, bortezomib or both. In some embodiments, thecomposition is administered orally, intraduodenally, parenterally(including intravenous, subcutaneous, intramuscular, intravascular or byinfusion), topically or rectally. In further or additional embodimentsthe amount of compound of formula I is in the range of about 0.001 toabout 1000 mg/kg body weight/day. In further or additional embodimentsthe amount of compound of formula I is in the range of about 0.5 toabout 50 mg/kg/day. In further or additional embodiments the amount ofcompound of formula I is about 0.001 to about 7 g/day. In further oradditional embodiments the amount of compound of formula I is about 0.01to about 7 g/day. In further or additional embodiments the amount ofcompound of formula I is about 0.02 to about 5 g/day. In further oradditional embodiments the amount of compound of formula I is about 0.05to about 2.5 g/day. In further or additional embodiments the amount ofcompound of formula I is about 0.1 to about 1 g/day. In further oradditional embodiments, dosage levels below the lower limit of theaforesaid range may be more than adequate. In further or additionalembodiments, dosage levels above the upper limit of the aforesaid rangemay be required. In further or additional embodiments the compound offormula I is administered in a single dose, once daily. In further oradditional embodiments the compound of formula I is administered inmultiple doses, more than once per day. In further or additionalembodiments the compound of formula I is administered twice daily. Infurther or additional embodiments the compound of formula I isadministered three times per day. In further or additional embodimentsthe compound of formula I is administered four times per day. In furtheror additional embodiments the compound of formula I is administered morethan four times per day. In some embodiments, the individual sufferingfrom cancer is a mammal. In further or additional embodiments, theindividual is a human. In further or additional embodiments, aneffective amount of a composition comprising a pharmaceuticallyacceptable salt of a compound of formula I is administered.

In other aspects, the present invention is directed to a method forachieving an effect in a patient comprising the administration of aneffective amount of a composition comprising a compound of formula I ora pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, polymorph, ester, tautomeror prodrug thereof, to a patient, wherein the effect is selected fromthe group consisting of inhibition of various cancers, immunologicaldiseases, and inflammatory diseases. In some embodiments, the effect isinhibition of various cancers. In further or additional embodiments, theeffect is inhibition of immunological diseases. In further or additionalembodiments, the effect is inhibition inflammatory diseases. In someembodiments, the composition comprising a compound of formula I isadministered in combination with an additional therapy. In further oradditional embodiments, the additional therapy is radiation therapy,chemotherapy or a combination of both. In further or additionalembodiments, the composition comprising a compound of formula I isadministered in combination with at least one therapeutic agent. In someembodiments, the composition is administered orally, intraduodenally,parenterally (including intravenous, subcutaneous, intramuscular,intravascular or by infusion), topically or rectally. In further oradditional embodiments the amount of compound of formula I is in therange of about 0.001 to about 1000 mg/kg body weight/day. In further oradditional embodiments the amount of compound of formula I is in therange of about 0.5 to about 50 mg/kg/day. In further or additionalembodiments the amount of compound of formula I is about 0.001 to about7 g/day. In further or additional embodiments the amount of compound offormula I is about 0.01 to about 7 g/day. In further or additionalembodiments the amount of compound of formula I is about 0.02 to about 5g/day. In further or additional embodiments the amount of compound offormula I is about 0.05 to about 2.5 g/day. In further or additionalembodiments the amount of compound of formula I is about 0.1 to about 1g/day. In further or additional embodiments, dosage levels below thelower limit of the aforesaid range may be more than adequate. In furtheror additional embodiments, dosage levels above the upper limit of theaforesaid range may be required. In further or additional embodimentsthe compound of formula I is administered in a single dose, once daily.In further or additional embodiments the compound of formula I isadministered in multiple doses, more than once per day. In further oradditional embodiments the compound of formula I is administered twicedaily. In further or additional embodiments the compound of formula I isadministered three times per day. In further or additional embodimentsthe compound of formula I is administered four times per day. In furtheror additional embodiments the compound of formula I is administered morethan four times per day. In some embodiments, the individual sufferingfrom cancer is a mammal. In further or additional embodiments, theindividual is a human. In further or additional embodiments, aneffective amount of a composition comprising a pharmaceuticallyacceptable salt of a compound of formula I is administered.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

All publications and patent applications mentioned in this specificationare herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if eachindividual publication or patent application was specifically andindividually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The novel features of the invention are set forth with particularity inthe appended claims. A better understanding of the features andadvantages of the present invention will be obtained by reference to thefollowing detailed description that sets forth illustrative embodiments,in which the principles of the invention are utilized.

While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown anddescribed herein, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art thatsuch embodiments are provided by way of example only. Numerousvariations, changes, and substitutions will now occur to those skilledin the art without departing from the invention. It should be understoodthat various alternatives to the embodiments of the invention describedherein may be employed in practicing the invention. It is intended thatthe following claims define the scope of the invention and that methodsand structures within the scope of these claims and their equivalents becovered thereby.

The section headings used herein are for organizational purposes onlyand are not to be construed as limiting the subject matter described.All documents, or portions of documents, cited in the applicationincluding, without limitation, patents, patent applications, articles,books, manuals, and treatises are hereby expressly incorporated byreference in their entirety for any purpose.

Certain Chemical Terminology

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meaning as is commonly understood by one of skill in theart to which the claimed subject matter belongs. All patents, patentapplications, published materials referred to throughout the entiredisclosure herein, unless noted otherwise, are incorporated by referencein their entirety. In the event that there is a plurality of definitionsfor terms herein, those in this section prevail. Where reference is madeto a URL or other such identifier or address, it is understood that suchidentifiers can change and particular information on the internet cancome and go, but equivalent information can be found by searching theinternet or other appropriate reference source. Reference theretoevidences the availability and public dissemination of such information.

It is to be understood that the foregoing general description and thefollowing detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only andare not restrictive of any subject matter claimed. In this application,the use of the singular includes the plural unless specifically statedotherwise. It must be noted that, as used in the specification and theappended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” include pluralreferents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. It should alsobe noted that use of “or” means “and/or” unless stated otherwise.Furthermore, use of the term “including” as well as other forms, such as“include”, “includes”, and “included” is not limiting.

Definition of standard chemistry terms may be found in reference works,including Carey and Sundberg “ADVANCED ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 4^(TH) ED.”Vols. A (2000) and B (2001), Plenum Press, New York. Unless otherwiseindicated, conventional methods of mass spectroscopy, NMR, HPLC, IR andUV/Vis spectroscopy and pharmacology, within the skill of the art areemployed. Unless specific definitions are provided, the nomenclatureemployed in connection with, and the laboratory procedures andtechniques of, analytical chemistry, synthetic organic chemistry, andmedicinal and pharmaceutical chemistry described herein are those knownin the art. Standard techniques can be used for chemical syntheses,chemical analyses, pharmaceutical preparation, formulation, anddelivery, and treatment of patients. Reactions and purificationtechniques can be performed e.g., using kits of manufacturer'sspecifications or as commonly accomplished in the art or as describedherein. The foregoing techniques and procedures can be generallyperformed of conventional methods well known in the art and as describedin various general and more specific references that are cited anddiscussed throughout the present specification. Throughout thespecification, groups and substituents thereof can be chosen by oneskilled in the field to provide stable moieties and compounds.

Where substituent groups are specified by their conventional chemicalformulas, written from left to right, they equally encompass thechemically identical substituents that would result from writing thestructure from right to left. As a non-limiting example, —CH₂O— isequivalent to —OCH₂—.

Unless otherwise noted, the use of general chemical terms, such asthough not limited to “alkyl,” “amine,” “aryl,” are equivalent to theiroptionally substituted forms. For example, “alkyl,” as used herein,includes optionally substituted alkyl.

The compounds presented herein may possess one or more stereocenters andeach center may exist in the R or S configuration, or combinationsthereof. Likewise, the compounds presented herein may possess one ormore double bonds and each may exist in the E (trans) or Z (cis)configuration, or combinations thereof. Presentation of one particularstereoisomer, regioisomer, diastereomer, enantiomer or epimer should beunderstood to include all possible stereoisomers, regioisomers,diastereomers, enantiomers or epimers and mixtures thereof. Thus, thecompounds presented herein include all separate configurationalstereoisomeric, regioisomeric, diastereomeric, enantiomeric, andepimeric forms as well as the corresponding mixtures thereof.Presentation of one particular chemical structure or chemical name for acompound which contains one or more chiral centers, but which does notdesignate a particular stereochemistry, should be understood to includeall possible stereoisomers, including mixtures of all possiblestereoisomers, pure forms or substantially pure forms of one particularstereoisomer and pure forms or substantially pure forms of the alternatestereoisomer. Techniques for inverting or leaving unchanged a particularstereocenter, and those for resolving mixtures of stereoisomers are wellknown in the art and it is well within the ability of one of skill inthe art to choose an appropriate method for a particular situation. See,for example, Furniss et al. (eds.), VOGEL'S ENCYCLOPEDIA OF PRACTICALORGANIC CHEMISTRY 5.sup.TH ED., Longman Scientific and Technical Ltd.,Essex, 1991, 809-816; and Heller, Acc. Chem. Res. 1990, 23, 128.

The terms “moiety”, “chemical moiety”, “group” and “chemical group”, asused herein refer to a specific segment or functional group of amolecule. Chemical moieties are often recognized chemical entitiesembedded in or appended to a molecule.

The term “bond” or “single bond” refers to a chemical bond between twoatoms, or two moieties when the atoms joined by the bond are consideredto be part of larger substructure.

The term “optional” or “optionally” means that the subsequentlydescribed event or circumstance may or may not occur, and that thedescription includes instances where said event or circumstance occursand instances in which it does not. For example, “optionally substitutedalkyl” means either “alkyl” or “substituted alkyl” as defined below.Further, an optionally substituted group may be un-substituted (e.g.,—CH₂CH₃), fully substituted (e.g., —CF₂CF₃), mono-substituted (e.g.,—CH₂CH₂F) or substituted at a level anywhere in-between fullysubstituted and mono-substituted (e.g., —CH₂CHF₂, —CH₂CF₃, —CF₂CH₃,—CFHCHF₂, etc). It will be understood by those skilled in the art withrespect to any group containing one or more substituents that suchgroups are not intended to introduce any substitution or substitutionpatterns (e.g., substituted alkyl includes optionally substitutedcycloalkyl groups, which in turn are defined as including optionallysubstituted alkyl groups, potentially ad infinitum) that are stericallyimpractical and/or synthetically non-feasible. Thus, any substituentsdescribed should generally be understood as having a maximum molecularweight of about 1,000 daltons, and more typically, up to about 500daltons (except in those instances where macromolecular substituents areclearly intended, e.g., polypeptides, polysaccharides, polyethyleneglycols, DNA, RNA and the like).

As used herein, C₁-C_(x) includes C₁-C₂, C₁-C₃ . . . C₁-C_(x). By way ofexample only, a group designated as “C₁-C₄” indicates that there are oneto four carbon atoms in the moiety, i.e. groups containing 1 carbonatom, 2 carbon atoms, 3 carbon atoms or 4 carbon atoms, as well as theranges C₁-C₂ and C₁-C₃. Thus, by way of example only, “C₁-C₄ alkyl”indicates that there are one to four carbon atoms in the alkyl group,i.e., the alkyl group is selected from among methyl, ethyl, propyl,iso-propyl, n-butyl, iso-butyl, sec-butyl, and t-butyl. Whenever itappears herein, a numerical range such as “1 to 10” refers to eachinteger in the given range; e.g., “1 to 10 carbon atoms” means that thegroup may have 1 carbon atom, 2 carbon atoms, 3 carbon atoms, 4 carbonatoms, 5 carbon atoms, 6 carbon atoms, 7 carbon atoms, 8 carbon atoms, 9carbon atoms, or 10 carbon atoms.

The term “A and A′, together with the carbon atom to which they areattached, form a 3- to 6-member saturated ring”, as used herein, refersto the following structures for compounds of formula I:

The terms “heteroatom” or “hetero” as used herein, alone or incombination, refer to an atom other than carbon or hydrogen. Heteroatomsare may be independently selected from among oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur,phosphorous, silicon, selenium and tin but are not limited to theseatoms. In embodiments in which two or more heteroatoms are present, thetwo or more heteroatoms can be the same as each another, or some or allof the two or more heteroatoms can each be different from the others.

The term “alkyl” as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to anoptionally substituted straight-chain, or optionally substitutedbranched-chain saturated hydrocarbon monoradical having from one toabout ten carbon atoms, more preferably one to six carbon atoms.Examples include, but are not limited to methyl, ethyl, n-propyl,isopropyl, 2-methyl-1-propyl, 2-methyl-2-propyl, 2-methyl-1-butyl,3-methyl-1-butyl, 2-methyl-3-butyl, 2,2-dimethyl-1-propyl,2-methyl-1-pentyl, 3-methyl-1-pentyl, 4-methyl-1-pentyl,2-methyl-2-pentyl, 3-methyl-2-pentyl, 4-methyl-2-pentyl,2,2-dimethyl-1-butyl, 3,3-dimethyl-1-butyl, 2-ethyl-1-butyl, n-butyl,isobutyl, sec-butyl, t-butyl, n-pentyl, isopentyl, neopentyl, tert-amyland hexyl, and longer alkyl groups, such as heptyl, octyl and the like.Whenever it appears herein, a numerical range such as “C₁-C₆ alkyl” or“C₁₋₆ alkyl”, means that the alkyl group may consist of 1 carbon atom, 2carbon atoms, 3 carbon atoms, 4 carbon atoms, 5 carbon atoms or 6 carbonatoms, although the present definition also covers the occurrence of theterm “alkyl” where no numerical range is designated.

The term “alkenyl” as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to anoptionally substituted straight-chain, or optionally substitutedbranched-chain hydrocarbon monoradical having one or more carbon-carbondouble-bonds and having from two to about ten carbon atoms, morepreferably two to about six carbon atoms. The group may be in either thecis or trans conformation about the double bond(s), and should beunderstood to include both isomers. Examples include, but are notlimited to ethenyl (—CH═CH₂), 1-propenyl (—CH₂CH═CH₂), isopropenyl[—C(CH₃)═CH₂], butenyl, 1,3-butadienyl and the like. Whenever it appearsherein, a numerical range such as “C₂-C₆ alkenyl” or “C₂₋₆ alkenyl”,means that the alkenyl group may consist of 2 carbon atoms, 3 carbonatoms, 4 carbon atoms, 5 carbon atoms or 6 carbon atoms, although thepresent definition also covers the occurrence of the term “alkenyl”where no numerical range is designated.

The term “alkynyl” as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to anoptionally substituted straight-chain or optionally substitutedbranched-chain hydrocarbon monoradical having one or more carbon-carbontriple-bonds and having from two to about ten carbon atoms, morepreferably from two to about six carbon atoms. Examples include, but arenot limited to ethynyl, 2-propynyl, 2-butynyl, 1,3-butadiynyl and thelike. Whenever it appears herein, a numerical range such as “C₂-C₆alkynyl” or “C₂₋₆ alkynyl”, means that the alkynyl group may consist of2 carbon atoms, 3 carbon atoms, 4 carbon atoms, 5 carbon atoms or 6carbon atoms, although the present definition also covers the occurrenceof the term “alkynyl” where no numerical range is designated.

The terms “heteroalkyl”, “heteroalkenyl” and “heteroalkynyl” as usedherein, alone or in combination, refer to optionally substituted alkyl,alkenyl and alkynyl structures respectively, as described above, inwhich one or more of the skeletal chain carbon atoms (and any associatedhydrogen atoms, as appropriate) are each independently replaced with aheteroatom (i.e. an atom other than carbon, such as though not limitedto oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, silicon, phosphorous, tin or combinationsthereof), or heteroatomic group such as though not limited to —O—O—,—S—S—, —O—S—, —S—O—, ═N—N═, —N═N—, —N═N—NH—, —P(O)₂—, —O—P(O)₂—,—P(O)₂—O—, —S(O)—, —S(O)₂—, —SnH₂— and the like.

The terms “haloalkyl”, “haloalkenyl” and “haloalkynyl” as used herein,alone or in combination, refer to optionally substituted alkyl, alkenyland alkynyl groups respectively, as defined above, in which one or morehydrogen atoms is replaced by fluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodineatoms, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments two or more hydrogenatoms may be replaced with halogen atoms that are the same as eachanother (e.g. difluoromethyl); in other embodiments two or more hydrogenatoms may be replaced with halogen atoms that are not all the same aseach other (e.g. 1-chloro-1-fluoro-1-iodoethyl). Non-limiting examplesof haloalkyl groups are fluoromethyl and bromoethyl. A non-limitingexample of a haloalkenyl group is bromoethenyl. A non-limiting exampleof a haloalkynyl group is chloroethynyl.

The term “carbon chain” as used herein, alone or in combination, refersto any alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, heteroalkyl, heteroalkenyl orheteroalkynyl group, which is linear, cyclic, or any combinationthereof. If the chain is part of a linker and that linker comprises oneor more rings as part of the core backbone, for purposes of calculatingchain length, the “chain” only includes those carbon atoms that composethe bottom or top of a given ring and not both, and where the top andbottom of the ring(s) are not equivalent in length, the shorter distanceshall be used in determining the chain length. If the chain containsheteroatoms as part of the backbone, those atoms are not calculated aspart of the carbon chain length.

The terms “cycle”, “cyclic”, “ring” and “membered ring” as used herein,alone or in combination, refer to any covalently closed structure,including alicyclic, heterocyclic, aromatic, heteroaromatic andpolycyclic fused or non-fused ring systems as described herein. Ringscan be optionally substituted. Rings can form part of a fused ringsystem. The term “membered” is meant to denote the number of skeletalatoms that constitute the ring. Thus, by way of example only,cyclohexane, pyridine, pyran and pyrimidine are six-membered rings andcyclopentane, pyrrole, tetrahydrofuran and thiophene are five-memberedrings.

The term “fused” as used herein, alone or in combination, refers tocyclic structures in which two or more rings share one or more bonds.

The term “cycloalkyl” as used herein, alone or in combination, refers toan optionally substituted, saturated, hydrocarbon monoradical ring,containing from three to about fifteen ring carbon atoms or from threeto about ten ring carbon atoms, though may include additional, non-ringcarbon atoms as substituents (e.g. methylcyclopropyl). Whenever itappears herein, a numerical range such as “C₃-C₆ cycloalkyl” or “C₃₋₆cycloalkyl”, means that the cycloalkyl group may consist of 3 carbonatoms, 4 carbon atoms, 5 carbon atoms or 6 carbon atoms, i.e., iscyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl or cycloheptyl, although thepresent definition also covers the occurrence of the term “cycloalkyl”where no numerical range is designated. The term includes fused,non-fused, bridged and spiro radicals. A fused cycloalkyl may containfrom two to four fused rings where the ring of attachment is acycloalkyl ring, and the other individual rings may be alicyclic,heterocyclic, aromatic, heteroaromatic or any combination thereof.Examples include, but are not limited to cyclopropyl, cyclopentyl,cyclohexyl, decalinyl, and bicyclo[2.2.1]heptyl and adamantyl ringsystems. Illustrative examples include, but are not limited to thefollowing moieties:

and the like.

The terms “non-aromatic heterocyclyl” and “heteroalicyclyl” as usedherein, alone or in combination, refer to optionally substituted,saturated, partially unsaturated, or fully unsaturated nonaromatic ringmonoradicals containing from three to about twenty ring atoms, where oneor more of the ring atoms are an atom other than carbon, independentlyselected from among oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, phosphorous, silicon,selenium and tin but are not limited to these atoms. In embodiments inwhich two or more heteroatoms are present in the ring, the two or moreheteroatoms can be the same as each another, or some or all of the twoor more heteroatoms can each be different from the others. The termsinclude fused, non-fused, bridged and spiro radicals. A fusednon-aromatic heterocyclic radical may contain from two to four fusedrings where the attaching ring is a non-aromatic heterocycle, and theother individual rings may be alicyclic, heterocyclic, aromatic,heteroaromatic or any combination thereof. Fused ring systems may befused across a single bond or a double bond, as well as across bondsthat are carbon-carbon, carbon-hetero atom or hetero atom-hetero atom.The terms also include radicals having from three to about twelveskeletal ring atoms, as well as those having from three to about tenskeletal ring atoms. Attachment of a non-aromatic heterocyclic subunitto its parent molecule can be via a heteroatom or a carbon atom.Likewise, additional substitution can be via a heteroatom or a carbonatom. As a non-limiting example, an imidazolidine non-aromaticheterocycle may be attached to a parent molecule via either of its Natoms (imidazolidin-1-yl or imidazolidin-3-yl) or any of its carbonatoms (imidazolidin-2-yl, imidazolidin-4-yl or imidazolidin-5-yl). Incertain embodiments, non-aromatic heterocycles contain one or morecarbonyl or thiocarbonyl groups such as, for example, oxo- andthio-containing groups. Examples include, but are not limited topyrrolidinyl, tetrahydrofuranyl, dihydrofuranyl, tetrahydrothienyl,tetrahydropyranyl, dihydropyranyl, tetrahydrothiopyranyl, piperidino,morpholino, thiomorpholino, thioxanyl, piperazinyl, azetidinyl,oxetanyl, thietanyl, homopiperidinyl, oxepanyl, thiepanyl, oxazepinyl,diazepinyl, thiazepinyl, 1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridinyl, 2-pyrrolinyl,3-pyrrolinyl, indolinyl, 2H-pyranyl, 4H-pyranyl, dioxanyl,1,3-dioxolanyl, pyrazolinyl, dithianyl, dithiolanyl, dihydropyranyl,dihydrothienyl, dihydrofuranyl, pyrazolidinyl, imidazolinyl,imidazolidinyl, 3-azabicyclo[3.1.0]hexanyl, 3-azabicyclo[4.1.0]heptanyl,3H-indolyl and quinolizinyl. Illustrative examples of heterocycloalkylgroups, also referred to as non-aromatic heterocycles, include:

and the like. The terms also include all ring forms of thecarbohydrates, including but not limited to the monosaccharides, thedisaccharides and the oligosaccharides.

The term “aromatic” as used herein, refers to a planar, cyclic orpolycyclic, ring moiety having a delocalized π-electron systemcontaining 4n+2π electrons, where n is an integer. Aromatic rings can beformed by five, six, seven, eight, nine, or more than nine atoms.Aromatics can be optionally substituted and can be monocyclic orfused-ring polycyclic. The term aromatic encompasses both all carboncontaining rings (e.g., phenyl) and those rings containing one or moreheteroatoms (e.g., pyridine).

The term “aryl” as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to anoptionally substituted aromatic hydrocarbon radical of six to abouttwenty ring carbon atoms, and includes fused and non-fused aryl rings. Afused aryl ring radical contains from two to four fused rings where thering of attachment is an aryl ring, and the other individual rings maybe alicyclic, heterocyclic, aromatic, heteroaromatic or any combinationthereof. Further, the term aryl includes fused and non-fused ringscontaining from six to about twelve ring carbon atoms, as well as thosecontaining from six to about ten ring carbon atoms. A non-limitingexample of a single ring aryl group includes phenyl; a fused ring arylgroup includes naphthyl, phenanthrenyl, anthracenyl, azulenyl; and anon-fused bi-aryl group includes biphenyl.

The term “heteroaryl” as used herein, alone or in combination, refers tooptionally substituted aromatic monoradicals containing from about fiveto about twenty skeletal ring atoms, where one or more of the ring atomsis a heteroatom independently selected from among oxygen, nitrogen,sulfur, phosphorous, silicon, selenium and tin but not limited to theseatoms and with the proviso that the ring of said group does not containtwo adjacent O or S atoms. In embodiments in which two or moreheteroatoms are present in the ring, the two or more heteroatoms can bethe same as each another, or some or all of the two or more heteroatomscan each be different from the others. The term heteroaryl includesoptionally substituted fused and non-fused heteroaryl radicals having atleast one heteroatom. The term heteroaryl also includes fused andnon-fused heteroaryls having from five to about twelve skeletal ringatoms, as well as those having from five to about ten skeletal ringatoms. Bonding to a heteroaryl group can be via a carbon atom or aheteroatom. Thus, as a non-limiting example, an imidazole group may beattached to a parent molecule via any of its carbon atoms(imidazol-2-yl, imidazol-4-yl or imidazol-5-yl), or its nitrogen atoms(imidazol-1-yl or imidazol-3-yl). Likewise, a heteroaryl group may befurther substituted via any or all of its carbon atoms, and/or any orall of its heteroatoms. A fused heteroaryl radical may contain from twoto four fused rings where the ring of attachment is a heteroaromaticring and the other individual rings may be alicyclic, heterocyclic,aromatic, heteroaromatic or any combination thereof. A non-limitingexample of a single ring heteroaryl group includes pyridyl; fused ringheteroaryl groups include benzimidazolyl, quinolinyl, acridinyl; and anon-fused bi-heteroaryl group includes bipyridinyl. Further examples ofheteroaryls include, without limitation, furanyl, thienyl, oxazolyl,acridinyl, phenazinyl, benzimidazolyl, benzofuranyl, benzoxazolyl,benzothiazolyl, benzothiadiazolyl, benzothiophenyl, benzoxadiazolyl,benzotriazolyl, imidazolyl, indolyl, isoxazolyl, isoquinolinyl,indolizinyl, isothiazolyl, isoindolyloxadiazolyl, indazolyl, pyridyl,pyridazyl, pyrimidyl, pyrazinyl, pyrrolyl, pyrazinyl, pyrazolyl,purinyl, phthalazinyl, pteridinyl, quinolinyl, quinazolinyl,quinoxalinyl, triazolyl, tetrazolyl, thiazolyl, triazinyl, thiadiazolyland the like, and their oxides, such as for example pyridyl-N-oxide.Illustrative examples of heteroaryl groups include the followingmoieties:

and the like.

The term “heterocyclyl” as used herein, alone or in combination, referscollectively to heteroalicyclyl and heteroaryl groups. Herein, wheneverthe number of carbon atoms in a heterocycle is indicated (e.g., C₁-C₆heterocycle), at least one non-carbon atom (the heteroatom) must bepresent in the ring. Designations such as “C₁-C₆ heterocycle” refer onlyto the number of carbon atoms in the ring and do not refer to the totalnumber of atoms in the ring. Designations such as “4-6 memberedheterocycle” refer to the total number of atoms that are contained inthe ring (i.e., a four, five, or six membered ring, in which at leastone atom is a carbon atom, at least one atom is a heteroatom and theremaining two to four atoms are either carbon atoms or heteroatoms). Forheterocycles having two or more heteroatoms, those two or moreheteroatoms can be the same or different from one another. Heterocyclescan be optionally substituted. Non-aromatic heterocyclic groups includegroups having only three atoms in the ring, while aromatic heterocyclicgroups must have at least five atoms in the ring. Bonding (i.e.attachment to a parent molecule or further substitution) to aheterocycle can be via a heteroatom or a carbon atom.

The terms “halogen”, “halo” or “halide” as used herein, alone or incombination refer to fluoro, chloro, bromo and/or iodo.

The term “amino” as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to themonoradical —NH₂.

The term “alkylamino” as used herein, alone or in combination, refers tothe monoradical —NH(alkyl) where alkyl is as defined herein.

The term “dialkylamino” as used herein, alone or in combination, refersto the monoradical —N(alkyl)(alkyl) where each alkyl may be identical ornon-identical and is as defined herein.

The term “diamino alkyl” as used herein, alone or in combination, refersto an alkyl group containing two amine groups, wherein said amine groupsmay be substituents on the alkyl group which may be amino, alkylamino,or dialkylamino groups, or wherein one or both of said amine groups mayform part of an alkyl chain to form -alkylene-N(H or alkyl)-alkylene-N(Hor alkyl or alkylene-)(H or alkyl or alkylene-).

The term “hydroxy” as used herein, alone or in combination, refers tothe monoradical —OH.

The term “cyano” as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to themonoradical —CN.

The term “cyanomethyl” as used herein, alone or in combination, refersto the monoradical —CH₂CN.

The term “nitro” as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to themonoradical —NO₂.

The term “oxy” as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to thediradical —O—.

The term “oxo” as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to thediradical ═O.

The term “carbonyl” as used herein, alone or in combination, refers tothe diradical —C(═O)—, which may also be written as —C(O)—.

The terms “carboxy” or “carboxyl” as used herein, alone or incombination, refer to the moiety —C(O)OH, which may also be written as—COOH.

The term “alkoxy” as used herein, alone or in combination, refers to analkyl ether radical, —O-alkyl, including the groups —O-aliphatic and—O-carbocyclyl, wherein the alkyl, aliphatic and carbocyclyl groups maybe optionally substituted, and wherein the terms alkyl, aliphatic andcarbocyclyl are as defined herein. Non-limiting examples of alkoxyradicals include methoxy, ethoxy, n-propoxy, isopropoxy, n-butoxy,iso-butoxy, sec-butoxy, tert-butoxy and the like.

The term “sulfinyl” as used herein, alone or in combination, refers tothe diradical —S(═O)—.

The term “sulfonyl” as used herein, alone or in combination, refers tothe diradical —S(═O)₂—.

The terms “sulfonamide”, “sulfonamido” and “sulfonamidyl” as usedherein, alone or in combination, refer to the diradical groups—S(═O)₂—NH— and —NH—S(═O)₂—.

The terms “sulfamide”, “sulfamido” and “sulfamidyl” as used herein,alone or in combination, refer to the diradical group —NH—S(═O)₂—NH—.

The term “reactant,” as used herein, refers to a nucleophile orelectrophile used to create covalent linkages.

It is to be understood that in instances where two or more radicals areused in succession to define a substituent attached to a structure, thefirst named radical is considered to be terminal and the last namedradical is considered to be attached to the structure in question. Thus,for example, the radical arylalkyl is attached to the structure inquestion by the alkyl group.

Certain Pharmaceutical Terminology

The term “MEK inhibitor” as used herein refers to a compound thatexhibits an IC₅₀ with respect to MEK activity, of no more than about 100μM or not more than about 50 μM, as measured in the Mek1 kinase assaydescribed generally herein. “IC₅₀” is that concentration of inhibitorwhich reduces the activity of an enzyme (e.g., MEK) to half-maximallevel. Compounds described herein have been discovered to exhibitinhibition against MEK. Compounds of the present invention preferablyexhibit an IC₅₀ with respect to MEK of no more than about 10 μM, morepreferably, no more than about 5 μM, even more preferably not more thanabout 1 μM, and most preferably, not more than about 200 nM, as measuredin the Mek1 kinase assay described herein.

The term “subject”, “patient” or “individual” as used herein inreference to individuals suffering from a disorder, and the like,encompasses mammals and non-mammals. Examples of mammals include, butare not limited to, any member of the Mammalian class: humans, non-humanprimates such as chimpanzees, and other apes and monkey species; farmanimals such as cattle, horses, sheep, goats, swine; domestic animalssuch as rabbits, dogs, and cats; laboratory animals including rodents,such as rats, mice and guinea pigs, and the like. Examples ofnon-mammals include, but are not limited to, birds, fish and the like.In one embodiment of the methods and compositions provided herein, themammal is a human.

The terms “treat,” “treating” or “treatment,” and other grammaticalequivalents as used herein, include alleviating, abating or amelioratinga disease or condition symptoms, preventing additional symptoms,ameliorating or preventing the underlying metabolic causes of symptoms,inhibiting the disease or condition, e.g., arresting the development ofthe disease or condition, relieving the disease or condition, causingregression of the disease or condition, relieving a condition caused bythe disease or condition, or stopping the symptoms of the disease orcondition, and are intended to include prophylaxis. The terms furtherinclude achieving a therapeutic benefit and/or a prophylactic benefit.By therapeutic benefit is meant eradication or amelioration of theunderlying disorder being treated. Also, a therapeutic benefit isachieved with the eradication or amelioration of one or more of thephysiological symptoms associated with the underlying disorder such thatan improvement is observed in the patient, notwithstanding that thepatient may still be afflicted with the underlying disorder. Forprophylactic benefit, the compositions may be administered to a patientat risk of developing a particular disease, or to a patient reportingone or more of the physiological symptoms of a disease, even though adiagnosis of this disease may not have been made.

The terms “effective amount”, “therapeutically effective amount” or“pharmaceutically effective amount” as used herein, refer to asufficient amount of at least one agent or compound being administeredwhich will relieve to some extent one or more of the symptoms of thedisease or condition being treated. The result can be reduction and/oralleviation of the signs, symptoms, or causes of a disease, or any otherdesired alteration of a biological system. For example, an “effectiveamount” for therapeutic uses is the amount of the composition comprisinga compound as disclosed herein required to provide a clinicallysignificant decrease in a disease. An appropriate “effective” amount inany individual case may be determined using techniques, such as a doseescalation study.

The terms “administer,” “administering”, “administration,” and the like,as used herein, refer to the methods that may be used to enable deliveryof compounds or compositions to the desired site of biological action.These methods include, but are not limited to oral routes, intraduodenalroutes, parenteral injection (including intravenous, subcutaneous,intraperitoneal, intramuscular, intravascular or infusion), topical andrectal administration. Those of skill in the art are familiar withadministration techniques that can be employed with the compounds andmethods described herein, e.g., as discussed in Goodman and Gilman, ThePharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, current ed.; Pergamon; andRemington's, Pharmaceutical Sciences (current edition), Mack PublishingCo., Easton, Pa. In preferred embodiments, the compounds andcompositions described herein are administered orally.

The term “acceptable” as used herein, with respect to a formulation,composition or ingredient, means having no persistent detrimental effecton the general health of the subject being treated.

The term “pharmaceutically acceptable” as used herein, refers to amaterial, such as a carrier or diluent, which does not abrogate thebiological activity or properties of the compounds described herein, andis relatively nontoxic, i.e., the material may be administered to anindividual without causing undesirable biological effects or interactingin a deleterious manner with any of the components of the composition inwhich it is contained.

The term “pharmaceutical composition,” as used herein, refers to abiologically active compound, optionally mixed with at least onepharmaceutically acceptable chemical component, such as, though notlimited to carriers, stabilizers, diluents, dispersing agents,suspending agents, thickening agents, and/or excipients.

The term “carrier” as used herein, refers to relatively nontoxicchemical compounds or agents that facilitate the incorporation of acompound into cells or tissues.

The term “agonist,” as used herein, refers to a molecule such as acompound, a drug, an enzyme activator or a hormone modulator whichenhances the activity of another molecule or the activity of a receptorsite.

The term “antagonist,” as used herein, refers to a molecule such as acompound, a drug, an enzyme inhibitor, or a hormone modulator, whichdiminishes, or prevents the action of another molecule or the activityof a receptor site.

The term “modulate,” as used herein, means to interact with a targeteither directly or indirectly so as to alter the activity of the target,including, by way of example only, to enhance the activity of thetarget, to inhibit the activity of the target, to limit the activity ofthe target, or to extend the activity of the target.

The term “modulator,” as used herein, refers to a molecule thatinteracts with a target either directly or indirectly. The interactionsinclude, but are not limited to, the interactions of an agonist and anantagonist.

The term “pharmaceutically acceptable derivative or prodrug” as usedherein, refers to any pharmaceutically acceptable salt, ester, salt ofan ester or other derivative of a compound of formula I or formula II,which, upon administration to a recipient, is capable of providing,either directly or indirectly, a compound of this invention or apharmaceutically active metabolite or residue thereof. Particularlyfavored derivatives or prodrugs are those that increase thebioavailability of the compounds of this invention when such compoundsare administered to a patient (e.g., by allowing orally administeredcompound to be more readily absorbed into blood) or which enhancedelivery of the parent compound to a biological compartment (e.g., thebrain or lymphatic system).

The term “pharmaceutically acceptable salt” as used herein, includessalts that retain the biological effectiveness of the free acids andbases of the specified compound and that are not biologically orotherwise undesirable. Compounds described may possess acidic or basicgroups and therefore may react with any of a number of inorganic ororganic bases, and inorganic and organic acids, to form apharmaceutically acceptable salt. Examples of pharmaceuticallyacceptable salts include those salts prepared by reaction of thecompounds described herein with a mineral or organic acid or aninorganic base, such salts including, acetate, acrylate, adipate,alginate, aspartate, benzoate, benzenesulfonate, bisulfate, bisulfite,bromide, butyrate, butyn-1,4-dioate, camphorate, camphorsulfonate,caproate, caprylate, chlorides, chlorobenzoate, chloride, citrate,cyclopentanepropionate, decanoate, digluconate, dihydrogenphosphate,dinitrobenzoate, dodecylsulfate, ethanesulfonate, formate, fumarate,glucoheptanoate, glycerophosphate, glycolate, hemisulfate, heptanoate,hexanoate, hexyne-1,6-dioate, hydroxybenzoate, γ-hydroxybutyrate,hydrochloride, hydrobromide, hydroiodide, 2-hydroxyethanesulfonate,iodide, isobutyrate, lactate, maleate, malonate, methanesulfonate,mandelate. metaphosphate, methanesulfonate, methoxybenzoate,methylbenzoate, monohydrogenphosphate, 1-napthalenesulfonate,2-napthalenesulfonate, nicotinate, nitrate, oxalates, palmoate,pectinate, persulfate, phenylacetates, phenylpropionates,3-phenylpropionate, phosphate, picrate, pivalate, propionate,pyrosulfate, pyrophosphate, propiolate, propionates, phthalate,phenylbutyrate, propanesulfonate, pyrophosphates, salicylate, succinate,sulfate, sulfite, succinate, suberate, sebacate, sulfonate, tartrate,thiocyanate, tosylate undeconate and xylenesulfonate. Other acids, suchas oxalic, while not in themselves pharmaceutically acceptable, may beemployed in the preparation of salts useful as intermediates inobtaining the compounds of the invention and their pharmaceuticallyacceptable acid addition salts. (See for example Berge et al., J. Pharm.Sci. 1977, 66, 1-19.) Further, those compounds described herein whichmay comprise a free acid group may react with a suitable base, such asthe hydroxide, carbonate or bicarbonate of a pharmaceutically acceptablemetal cation, with ammonia, or with a pharmaceutically acceptableorganic primary, secondary or tertiary amine. Representative alkali oralkaline earth salts include the lithium, sodium, potassium, calcium,magnesium, and aluminum salts and the like. Illustrative examples ofbases include sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, choline hydroxide,sodium carbonate, N⁺(C₁₋₄ alkyl)₄, and the like. Representative organicamines useful for the formation of base addition salts includeethylamine, diethylamine, ethylenediamine, ethanolamine, diethanolamine,piperazine and the like. It should be understood that the compoundsdescribed herein also include the quaternization of any basicnitrogen-containing groups they may contain. Water or oil-soluble ordispersible products may be obtained by such quaternization. See, forexample, Berge et al., supra. These salts can be prepared in situ duringthe final isolation and purification of the compounds of the invention,or by separately reacting a purified compound in its free base form witha suitable organic or inorganic acid, and isolating the salt thusformed.

As used herein, a “prodrug” is a compound that may be converted underphysiological conditions or by solvolysis to the specified compound orto a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of such compound. Prodrugs includecompounds wherein an amino acid residue, or a polypeptide chain of twoor more amino acid residues, is covalently joined through an amide orester bond to a free amino, hydroxy, or carboxylic acid group ofcompounds of Formulas I. The amino acid residues contemplated includebut are not limited to the 20 naturally-occurring amino acids. Othersuitable amino acids include 4-hydroxyproline, hydroxylysine, demosine,isodemosine, 3-methyl histidine, norvaline, β-alanine, γ-aminobutyricacid, cirtulline, homocysteine, homoserine, ornithine and methioninesulfone. Additional types of prodrugs are well known in the art.

Pharmaceutically acceptable prodrugs of the compounds described hereininclude, but are not limited to, esters, carbonates, thiocarbonates,N-acyl derivatives, N-acyloxyalkyl derivatives, quaternary derivativesof tertiary amines, N-Mannich bases, Schiff bases, amino acidconjugates, phosphate esters, metal salts and sulfonate esters. Variousforms of prodrugs are well known in the art. See for example Design ofProdrugs, Bundgaard, A. Ed., Elseview, 1985 and Method in Enzymology,Widder, K. et al., Ed.; Academic, 1985, vol. 42, p. 309-396; Bundgaard,H. “Design and Application of Prodrugs” in A Textbook of Drug Design andDevelopment, Krosgaard-Larsen and H. Bundgaard, Ed., 1991, Chapter 5, p.113-191; and Bundgaard, H., Advanced Drug Delivery Review, 1992, 8,1-38, each of which is incorporated herein by reference. The prodrugsdescribed herein include, but are not limited to, the following groupsand combinations of these groups; amine derived prodrugs:

Hydroxy prodrugs include, but are not limited to acyloxyalkyl esters,alkoxycarbonyloxyalkyl esters, alkyl esters, aryl esters and disulfidecontaining esters.

The terms “enhance” or “enhancing,” as used herein, means to increase orprolong either in potency or duration a desired effect. Thus, in regardto enhancing the effect of therapeutic agents, the term “enhancing”refers to the ability to increase or prolong, either in potency orduration, the effect of other therapeutic agents on a system. An“enhancing-effective amount,” as used herein, refers to an amountadequate to enhance the effect of another therapeutic agent in a desiredsystem.

The terms “pharmaceutical combination”, “administering an additionaltherapy”, “administering an additional therapeutic agent” and the like,as used herein, refer to a pharmaceutical therapy resulting from themixing or combining of more than one active ingredient and includes bothfixed and non-fixed combinations of the active ingredients. The term“fixed combination” means that at least one of the compounds describedherein, and at least one co-agent, are both administered to a patientsimultaneously in the form of a single entity or dosage. The term“non-fixed combination” means that at least one of the compoundsdescribed herein, and at least one co-agent, are administered to apatient as separate entities either simultaneously, concurrently orsequentially with variable intervening time limits, wherein suchadministration provides effective levels of the two or more compounds inthe body of the patient. These also apply to cocktail therapies, e.g.the administration of three or more active ingredients.

The terms “co-administration”, “administered in combination with” andtheir grammatical equivalents or the like, as used herein, are meant toencompass administration of the selected therapeutic agents to a singlepatient, and are intended to include treatment regimens in which theagents are administered by the same or different route of administrationor at the same or different times. In some embodiments the compoundsdescribed herein will be co-administered with other agents. These termsencompass administration of two or more agents to an animal so that bothagents and/or their metabolites are present in the animal at the sametime. They include simultaneous administration in separate compositions,administration at different times in separate compositions, and/oradministration in a composition in which both agents are present. Thus,in some embodiments, the compounds of the invention and the otheragent(s) are administered in a single composition. In some embodiments,compounds of the invention and the other agent(s) are admixed in thecomposition.

The term “metabolite,” as used herein, refers to a derivative of acompound which is formed when the compound is metabolized.

The term “active metabolite,” as used herein, refers to a biologicallyactive derivative of a compound that is formed when the compound ismetabolized.

The term “metabolized,” as used herein, refers to the sum of theprocesses (including, but not limited to, hydrolysis reactions andreactions catalyzed by enzymes) by which a particular substance ischanged by an organism. Thus, enzymes may produce specific structuralalterations to a compound. For example, cytochrome P450 catalyzes avariety of oxidative and reductive reactions while uridine diphosphateglucuronyltransferases catalyze the transfer of an activatedglucuronic-acid molecule to aromatic alcohols, aliphatic alcohols,carboxylic acids, amines and free sulphydryl groups. Further informationon metabolism may be obtained from The Pharmacological Basis ofTherapeutics, 9th Edition, McGraw-Hill (1996).

Compounds

Described herein are compounds of formula I, pharmaceutically acceptablesalts, solvates, polymorphs, esters, tautomers or prodrugs thereof,

wherein

Z is H or F;

X is F, Cl, CH₃, CH₂OH, CH₂F, CHF₂, or CF₃;

Y is I, Br, Cl, CF₃, C₁-C₃ alkyl, C₂-C₃ alkenyl, C₂-C₃ alkynyl,cyclopropyl, OMe, OEt, SMe, phenyl or Het, where Het is a 5- to10-membered mono- or bicyclic heterocyclic group, which group issaturated, olefinic, or aromatic, containing 1-5 ring heteroatomsselected independently from N, O, and S; where

-   -   all said phenyl or Het groups are optionally substituted with F,        Cl, Br, I, acetyl, methyl, CN, NO₂, CO₂H, C₁-C₃ alkyl, C₁-C₃        alkoxy, C₁-C₃ alkyl-C(═O)—, C₁-C₃ alkyl-C(═S)—, C₁-C₃        alkoxy-C(═S)—, C₁-C₃ alkyl-C(═O)O—, C₁-C₃ alkyl-0-(C═O)—, C₁-C₃        alkyl-C(═O)NH—, C₁-C₃ alkyl-C(═NH)NH—, C₁-C₃ alkyl-NH—(C═O)—,        di-C₁-C₃ alkyl-N—(C═O)—, C₁-C₃ alkyl-C(═O)N(C₁-C₃ alkyl)-, C₁-C₃        alkyl-S(═O)₂NH— or trifluoromethyl;    -   all said methyl, ethyl, C₁-C₃ alkyl, and cyclopropyl groups are        optionally substituted with OH;    -   all said methyl groups are optionally substituted with one, two,        or three F atoms;

R⁰ is H, F, Cl, Br, I, CH₃NH—, (CH₃)₂N—, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₄ alkoxy,C₃-C₆ cycloalkyl, C₂-C₆ alkenyl, C₂-C₆ alkynyl, phenyl, monosubstitutedphenyl, O(C₁-C₄ alkyl), O—C(═O)(C₁-C₄ alkyl) or C(═O)O(C₁-C₄ alkyl);where

-   -   said alkyl, alkoxy, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl and phenyl        groups are optionally substituted with 1-3 substituents selected        independently from F, Cl, Br, I, OH, CN, cyanomethyl, nitro,        phenyl and trifluoromethyl;    -   said C₁-C₆ alkyl and C₁-C₄ alkoxy groups also optionally        substituted with OCH₃ or OCH₂CH₃; G is G₁, G₂, R_(1a), R_(1b),        R_(1c), R_(1d), R_(1e), Ar₁, Ar₂ or Ar₃; where    -   G₁ is C₁-C₆ alkyl optionally substituted with one amino, C₁-C₃        alkylamino, or dialkylamino group, said dialkylamino group        comprising two C₁-C₄ alkyl groups which may be identical or        non-identical; or    -   G₁ is a C₃-C₈ diamino alkyl group;    -   G₂ is a 5- or 6-membered ring, which is saturated, unsaturated,        or aromatic, containing 1-3 ring heteroatoms selected        independently from N, O, and S, optionally substituted with 1-3        substituents selected independently from F, Cl, OH, O(C₁-C₃        alkyl), OCH₃, OCH₂CH₃, CH₃C(═O)NH, CH₃C(═O)O, CN, CF₃, and a        5-membered aromatic heterocyclic group containing 1-4 ring        heteroatoms selected independently from N, O, and S;    -   R_(1a) is methyl, optionally substituted with 1-3 fluorine atoms        or 1-3 chlorine atoms, or with OH, cyclopropoxy, or C₁-C₃        alkoxy, where said cyclopropoxy group or the C₁-C₃ alkyl        moieties of said C₁-C₃ alkoxy groups are optionally substituted        with one hydroxy or methoxy group, and where all C₃— alkyl        groups within said C₁-C₄ alkoxy are optionally further        substituted with a second OH group;    -   R_(1b) is CH(CH₃)—C₁₋₃ alkyl or C₃-C₆ cycloalkyl, said alkyl and        cycloalkyl groups optionally substituted with 1-3 substituents        selected independently from F, Cl, Br, I, OH, OCH₃, and CN;    -   R_(1c) is (CH₂)_(n)O_(m)R′; where        -   m is 0 or 1; and where            -   when m is 0, n is 1 or 2;            -   when m is 1, n is 2 or 3;        -   R′ is C₁-C₆ alkyl, optionally substituted with 1-3            substituents selected independently from F, Cl, OH, OCH₃,            OCH₂CH₃, and C₃-C₆ cycloalkyl;    -   R_(1d) is C(A)(A′)(B)—; where        -   B is H or C₁₋₄ alkyl, optionally substituted with one or two            OH groups;        -   A and A′ are independently H or C₁₋₄ alkyl, optionally            substituted with one or two OH groups; or        -   A and A′, together with the carbon atom to which they are            attached, form a 3- to 6-member saturated ring;    -   R_(1e) is

-   -   where        -   q is 1 or 2;        -   R₂ and R₃ are each independently, H, F, Cl, Br, CH₃, CH₂F,            CHF₂, CF₃ OCH₃, OCH₂F, OCHF₂, OCF₃, ethyl, n-propyl,            isopropyl, cyclopropyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl or            methylsulfonyl;        -   R₄ is H, F, Cl, Br, CH₃, CH₂F, CHF₂, CF₃ OCH₃, OCH₂F, OCHF₂,            OCF₃, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, cyclopropyl, isobutyl,            sec-butyl, tert-butyl, methylsulfonyl, nitro, acetamido,            amidinyl, cyano, carbamoyl, methylcarbamoyl,            dimethylcarbamoyl, 1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl,            5-methyl-1,3,4-oxadiazol, 1,3,4-thiadiazol,            5-methyl-1,3,4-thiadiazol 1H-tetrazolyl, N-morpholyl            carbonyl amino, N-morpholylsulfonyl and            N-pyrrolidinylcarbonylamino;        -   R₅ is H, F, Cl or methyl;        -   R₆ is H, F, Cl or methyl;    -   Ar₁ is

-   -   where        -   U and V are, independently, N, CR₂ or CR₃;        -   R₂, R₃ and R₄ are, independently, H, F, Cl, Br, CH₃, CH₂F,            CHF₂, CF₃ OCH₃, OCH₂F, OCHF₂, OCF₃, ethyl, n-propyl,            isopropyl, cyclopropyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl,            acetamido, amidinyl, cyano, carbamoyl, methylcarbamoyl,            dimethylcarbamoyl, 1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl,            5-methyl-1,3,4-oxadiazolyl, 1,3,4-thiadiazolyl,            5-methyl-1,3,4-thiadiazolyl, 1H-tetrazolyl,            N-morpholylcarbonylamino, N-morpholylsulfonyl,            N-pyrrolidinylcarbonylamino, and methylsulfonyl;        -   R₅ and R₆ are, independently, H, F, Cl or methyl;    -   Ar₂ is

-   -   where        -   the dashed line represents alternative formal locations for            the second ring double bond;        -   U is —S—, —O— or —N═, and where            -   when U is —O— or —S—, V is —CH═, —CCl═ or —N═;            -   when U is —N═, V is —CH═, —CCl═, or —N═;        -   R₇ is H or methyl;        -   R₈ is H, acetamido, methyl, F or Cl;    -   Ar₃ is

-   -   where        -   U is —NH—, —NCH₃— or —O—;        -   R₇ and R₈ are, independently, H, F, Cl, or methyl.

In some embodiments, the invention provides for compounds of formula Iand their pharmaceutically acceptable salts. In further or additionalembodiments, the invention provides for compounds of formula I and theirpharmaceutically acceptable solvates. In further or additionalembodiments, the invention provides for compounds of formula I and theirpharmaceutically acceptable hydrates. In further or additionalembodiments, the invention provides for compounds of formula I and theirpharmaceutically acceptable polymorphs. In further or additionalembodiments, the invention provides for compounds of formula I and theirpharmaceutically acceptable esters. In further or additionalembodiments, the invention provides for compounds of formula I and theirpharmaceutically acceptable tautomers. In further or additionalembodiments, the invention provides for compounds of formula I and theirpharmaceutically acceptable prodrugs.

In addition to the definitions given herein for the groups G, R⁰, X, Yand Z additional substitutions which could be contemplated by those ofskill in the chemical and pharmaceutical arts are included.

Compounds of formula I, pharmaceutically acceptable salts,pharmaceutically active metabolites, pharmaceutically acceptableprodrugs, and pharmaceutically acceptable solvates thereof, may modulatethe activity of MEK enzymes; and, as such, are useful for treatingdiseases or conditions in which aberrant MEK enzyme activity contributesto the pathology and/or symptoms of a disease or condition.

The tables below show examples of individual compounds provided orcontemplated by this invention. These examples should in no way beconstrued as limiting.

Table 1 shows embodiments of this invention which are compounds offormula I, wherein G is R_(1a) where R_(1a) is as defined in the tableand X, Y and Z are defined in the table.

TABLE 1 R_(1a) X Y Z CH₃ F I F CH₃ Cl I F CH₃ F Br F CH₃ Cl Br F CH₃ FCH₃ F CH₃ Cl CH₃ F CH₃ F CF₃ F CH₃ Cl CF₃ F CH₃ F C≡CH F CH₃ Cl C≡CH FCH₃ F SCH₃ F CH₃ Cl SCH₃ F CH₃ F (CH₂)₂CH₃ F CH₃ Cl (CH₂)₂CH₃ F CH₃ FCH₂CH₃ F CH₃ Cl CH₂CH₃ F CH₃ F CH₂OH F CH₃ Cl CH₂OH F CH₃ F

F CH₃ Cl

F CH₃ CH₃ CH═CH₂ F CH₃ CH₃ C≡CH F CH₃ CH₃ SCH₃ F CH₂F F I F CH₂F Cl I FCH₂F F Br F CH₂F Cl Br F CH₂F F CH₃ F CH₂F Cl CH₃ F CH₂F F CF₃ F CH₂F ClCF₃ F CF₃ F I F CF₃ Cl I F CF₃ F Br F CF₃ Cl Br F CF₃ F CH₃ F CF₃ Cl CH₃F CF₃ F CF₃ F CF₃ Cl CF₃ F CH₂Cl F I F CH₂Cl Cl I F CH₂Cl F Br F CH₂ClCl Br F CH₂Cl F CH₃ F CH₂Cl Cl CH₃ F CH₂Cl F CF₃ F CH₂Cl Cl CF₃ F CHCl₂F I F CHCl₂ Cl I F CHCl₂ F Br F CHCl₂ Cl Br F CHCl₂ F CH₃ F CHCl₂ Cl CH₃F CHCl₂ F CF₃ F CHCl₂ Cl CF₃ F CCl₃ F I F CCl₃ Cl I F CCl₃ F Br F CCl₃Cl Br F CCl₃ F CH₃ F CCl₃ Cl CH₃ F CCl₃ F CF₃ F CCl₃ Cl CF₃ F CH₂OH F IF CH₂OH Cl I F CH₂OH F Br F CH₂OH Cl Br F CH₂OH F CH₃ F CH₂OH Cl CH₃ FCH₂OH F CF₃ F CH₂OH Cl CF₃ F CH₂OMe F I F CH₂OMe Cl I F CH₂OMe F Br FCH₂OMe Cl Br F CH₂OMe F CH₃ F CH₂OMe Cl CH₃ F CH₂OMe F CF₃ F CH₂OMe ClCF₃ F CH₂OMe F C≡CH F CH₂OMe Cl SCH₃ F CH₂OMe CH₃ CF₃ F CH₂OMe CH₃ C≡CHF CH₂OEt F I F CH₂OEt Cl I F CH₂OEt F Br F CH₂OEt Cl Br F CH₂OEt F CH₃ FCH₂OEt Cl CH₃ F CH₂OEt F CF₃ F CH₂OEt Cl CF₃ F

F I F

Cl I F

F Br F

Cl Br F

F CH₃ F

Cl CH₃ F

F CF₃ F

Cl CF₃ F

F I F

Cl I F

F Br F

Cl Br F

F CH₃ F

Cl CH₃ F

F CF₃ F

Cl CF₃ F

F I F

Cl I F

F Br F

Cl Br F

F CH₃ F

Cl CH₃ F

F CF₃ F

Cl CF₃ F

F I F

Cl I F

F Br F

Cl Br F

F CH₃ F

Cl CH₃ F

F CF₃ F

Cl CF₃ F

F I F

Cl I F

F Br F

Cl Br F

F CH₃ F

Cl CH₃ F

F CF₃ F

Cl CF₃ F CH₃ F phenyl F CH₃ Cl phenyl F CH₃ CH₃ phenyl CH₃ F 3-pyridyl FCH₃ Cl 3-pyridyl F CH₃ CH₃ 4-pyridyl CH₃ F pyrazolyl F CH₃ Cl pyrazolylF CH₃ F 4-pyridyl F CH₃ Cl 4-pyridyl F CH₃ CH₃ 2-(CH₃—SO₂—NH)- F phenylCH₃ CH₃ 3-(CH₃—SO₂—NH)- F phenyl CH₃ Cl 3-(CH₃—SO₂—NH)- F phenyl CH₃ F3-(CH₃—SO₂—NH)- F phenyl

Table 2 shows embodiments of this invention which are compounds offormula I, wherein G is R_(1b) where R_(1b) is as defined in the tableand X, Y and Z are defined in the table.

TABLE 2 R_(1b) X Y Z

F I F

Cl I F

F Br F

Cl Br F

F CH₃ F

Cl CH₃ F

F CF₃ F

Cl CF₃ F

F C≡CH F

Cl C≡CH F

F SCH₃ F

Cl SCH₃ F

F CH₂OH F

Cl CH₂OH F

F (CH₂)₃OH F

Cl (CH₂)₃OH F

F (CH₂)₂CH₃ F

Cl (CH₂)₂CH₃ F

F CH₂CH₃ F

Cl CH₂CH₃ F

F (CH₂)₂CH₃ F

Cl (CH₂)₂CH₃ F

CH₃ I F

CH₃ Br F

CH₃ CH₃ F

CH₃ CF₃ F

CH₃ CH₂CH₃ F

CH₃ (CH₂)₂CH₃ F

CH₃ C≡CH F

CH₃ SCH₃ F

CH₃ (CH₂)₂CH₃ F

CH₃ I F

F CH═CH₂ F

Cl CH═CH₂ F

CH₃ CH═CH₂ F

F

F

F OCH₃ F

Cl (CH₂)₂CH₂OH F

F I F

Cl I F

F Br F

Cl Br F

F CH₃ F

Cl CH₃ F

F CF₃ F

Cl CF₃ F

F I F

Cl I F

F Br F

Cl Br F

F CH₃ F

Cl CH₃ F

F CF₃ F

Cl CF₃ F

Cl

F

F (CH₂)₂CH₃ F

Cl C≡CH F

CH₃ SCH₃ F

Cl CF₃ F

CH₃ CH₃ F

F CH₂OH F

Cl (CH₂)₃OH F

F OCH₂CH₃ F

F I F

Cl I F

F Br F

Cl Br F

F CH₃ F

Cl CH₃ F

F CF₃ F

Cl CF₃ F

F phenyl F

Cl phenyl F

F 3-pyridyl F

Cl 3-pyridyl F

F pyrazol-4-yl F

Cl pyrazol-4-yl F

F 4-pyridyl F

Cl 4-pyridyl F

F 1-methyl-pyrazol-4-yl F

Cl 1-methyl-pyrazol-4-yl F

F pyrazol-3-yl F

Cl pyrazol-3-yl F

F 2-(CH₃—SO₂—NH)-phenyl F

Cl 2-(CH₃—SO₂—NH)-phenyl F

F 3-(CH₃—SO₂—NH)-phenyl F

Cl 3-(CH₃—SO₂—NH)-phenyl F

CH₃ 2-(CH₃—SO₂—NH)-phenyl F

CH₃ 3-(CH₃—SO₂—NH)-phenyl F

F 4-CF₃O-phenyl F

Cl 4-CF₃O-phenyl F

CH₃ 4-CF₃O-phenyl F

Cl 2-(CH₃—SO₂—NH)-phenyl F

F phenyl F

phenyl

Cl 3-pyridyl F

F 3-pyridyl F

Cl pyrazol-4-yl F

F pyrazol-4-yl F

Cl 4-pyridyl F

F 4-pyridyl F

Cl 1-methyl-pyrazol-4-yl F

CH₃ 1-methyl-pyrazol-4-yl F

F pyrazol-3-yl F

Cl pyrazol-3-yl F

F 2-(CH₃—SO₂—NH)-phenyl F

Cl 2-(CH₃—SO₂—NH)-phenyl F

F phenyl F

Cl phenyl F

F 3-pyridyl F

Cl 3-pyridyl F

Cl pyrazol-3-yl F

Table 3 shows embodiments of this invention which are compounds offormula I, wherein G is R_(1c) where R_(1c) is as defined in the tableand X, Y and Z are defined in the table.

TABLE 3 R_(1c) X Y Z CH₂CH₃ F I F CH₂CH₃ Cl I F CH₂CH₃ F Br F CH₂CH₃ ClBr F CH₂CH₃ F CH₃ F CH₂CH₃ Cl CH₃ F CH₂CH₃ F CF₃ F CH₂CH₃ Cl CF₃ FCH₂CH₃ CH₃ CH₃ F CH₂CH₃ CH₃ CH₃ F CH₂CH₃ CH₃ C≡CH F CH₂CH₃ CH₃ SCH₃ FCH₂CH₃ F C≡CH F CH₂CH₃ Cl SCH₃ F CH₂CH₃ F

F CH₂CH₃ Cl

F CH₂CH₃ CH₃

F CH(CH₃)₂ F OCH₃ F CH(CH₃)₂ Cl OCH₃ F CH(CH₃)₂ F I F CH(CH₃)₂ Cl I FCH(CH₃)₂ F Br F CH(CH₃)₂ Cl Br F CH(CH₃)₂ F CH₃ F CH(CH₃)₂ Cl CH₃ FCH(CH₃)₂ F CH₂CH₃ F CH(CH₃)₂ Cl CH₂CH₃ F CH(CH₃)₂ CH₃ CH₂CH₃ F CH(CH₃)₂Cl CH₂CH₃ F CH(CH₃)₂ Fl CH(CH₃)₂ F CH(CH₃)₂ Cl CH(CH₃)₂ F CH(CH₃)₂ F CF₃F CH(CH₃)₂ Cl CH₃ F CH(CH₃)₂ CH₃ Br F CH(CH₃)₂ CH₃ C≡CH F CH(CH₃)₂ CH₃SCH₃ F CH(CH₃)₂ CH₃

F CH(CH₃)₂ F CH₂OH F CH(CH₃)₂ Cl

F n-butyl F I F n-butyl Cl I F n-butyl F Br F n-butyl Cl Br F n-butyl FCH₃ F n-butyl Cl CH₃ F n-butyl F OCH₃ F n-butyl Cl OCH₃ F n-butyl CH₃OCH₃ F n-butyl Cl OCH₂CH₃ F n-butyl F OCH₂CH₃ F n-butyl CH₃ OCH₂CH₃ Fn-butyl F OCH₂CH₂OH F n-butyl F CF₃ F n-butyl Cl CF₃ F sec-butyl F I Fsec-butyl Cl I F sec-butyl F Br F sec-butyl Cl Br F sec-butyl F CH₃ Fsec-butyl Cl CH₃ F sec-butyl F CF₃ F sec-butyl Cl CF₃ F CH₂CF₃ F I FCH₂CF₃ Cl I F CH₂CF₃ F Br F CH₂CF₃ Cl Br F CH₂CF₃ F CH₃ F CH₂CF₃ Cl CH₃F CH₂CF₃ F CF₃ F CH₂CF₃ Cl CF₃ F CH₂CCl₃ F I F CH₂CCl₃ Cl I F CH₂CCl₃ FBr F CH₂CCl₃ Cl Br F CH₂CCl₃ F CH₃ F CH₂CCl₃ Cl CH₃ F CH₂CCl₃ F CF₃ FCH₂CCl₃ Cl CF₃ F

F I F

Cl I F

F Br F

Cl Br F

F CH₃ F

Cl CH₃ F

F CF₃ F

Cl CF₃ F CH₂CH₂F F I F CH₂CH₂F Cl I F CH₂CH₂F F Br F CH₂CH₂F Cl Br FCH₂CH₂F F CH₃ F CH₂CH₂F Cl CH₃ F CH₂CH₂F F CF₃ F CH₂CH₂F Cl CF₃ FCH₂CH₂Cl F I F CH₂CH₂Cl Cl I F CH₂CH₂Cl F Br F CH₂CH₂Cl Cl Br F CH₂CH₂ClF CH₃ F CH₂CH₂Cl Cl CH₃ F CH₂CH₂Cl F CF₃ F CH₂CH₂Cl Cl CF₃ F CH₂CH₂CH₂ClF I F CH₂CH₂CH₂Cl Cl I F CH₂CH₂CH₂Cl F Br F CH₂CH₂CH₂Cl Cl Br FCH₂CH₂CH₂Cl F CH₃ F CH₂CH₂CH₂Cl Cl CH₃ F CH₂CH₂CH₂Cl F CF₃ F CH₂CH₂CH₂ClCl CF₃ F CH₂CH₂OH F I F CH₂CH₂OH Cl I F CH₂CH₂OH F Br F CH₂CH₂OH Cl Br FCH₂CH₂OH F CH₃ F CH₂CH₂OH Cl CH₃ F CH₂CH₂OH F CF₃ F CH₂CH₂OH Cl CF₃ FCH₂CH₂CH₂OH F I F CH₂CH₂CH₂OH Cl I F CH₂CH₂CH₂OH F Br F CH₂CH₂CH₂OH ClBr F CH₂CH₂CH₂OH F CH₃ F CH₂CH₂CH₂OH Cl CH₃ F CH₂CH₂CH₂OH F CF₃ FCH₂CH₂CH₂OH Cl CF₃ F (CH₂)₄OH F I F (CH₂)₄OH Cl I F (CH₂)₄OH F Br F(CH₂)₄OH Cl Br F (CH₂)₄OH F CH₃ F (CH₂)₄OH Cl CH₃ F (CH₂)₄OH F CF₃ F(CH₂)₄OH Cl CF₃ F CH₂CH₂OCH₃ F I F CH₂CH₂OCH₃ Cl I F CH₂CH₂OCH₃ F Br FCH₂CH₂OCH₃ Cl Br F CH₂CH₂OCH₃ F CH₃ F CH₂CH₂OCH₃ Cl CH₃ F CH₂CH₂OCH₃ FCF₃ F CH₂CH₂OCH₃ Cl CF₃ F (CH₂)₃OCH₃ F I F (CH₂)₃OCH₃ Cl I F (CH₂)₃OCH₃F Br F (CH₂)₃OCH₃ Cl Br F (CH₂)₃OCH₃ F CH₃ F (CH₂)₃OCH₃ Cl CH₃ F(CH₂)₃OCH₃ F CF₃ F (CH₂)₃OCH₃ Cl CF₃ F CH₂CH₂OEt F I F CH₂CH₂OEt Cl I FCH₂CH₂OEt F Br F CH₂CH₂OEt Cl Br F CH₂CH₂OEt F CH₃ F CH₂CH₂OEt Cl CH₃ FCH₂CH₂OEt F CF₃ F CH₂CH₂OEt Cl CF₃ F

F I F

Cl I F

F Br F

Cl Br F

F CH₃ F

Cl CH₃ F

F CF₃ F

Cl CF₃ F

F I F

Cl I F

F Br F

Cl Br F

F CH₃ F

Cl CH₃ F

F CF₃ F

Cl CF₃ F CH₂CH₂CH₂OEt F I F CH₂CH₂CH₂OEt Cl I F CH₂CH₂CH₂OEt F Br FCH₂CH₂CH₂OEt Cl Br F CH₂CH₂CH₂OEt F CH₃ F CH₂CH₂CH₂OEt Cl CH₃ FCH₂CH₂CH₂OEt F CF₃ F CH₂CH₂CH₂OEt Cl CF₃ F

F I F

Cl I F

F Br F

Cl Br F

F CH₃ F

Cl CH₃ F

F CF₃ F

Cl CF₃ F

F I F

Cl I F

F Br F

Cl Br F

F CH₃ F

Cl CH₃ F

F CF₃ F

Cl CF₃ F

F I F

Cl I F

F Br F

Cl Br F

F CH₃ F

Cl CH₃ F

F CF₃ F

Cl CF₃ F

F I F

Cl I F

F Br F

Cl Br F

F CH₃ F

Cl CH₃ F

F CF₃ F

Cl CF₃ F

F I F

Cl I F

CH₃ I F

F Br F

Cl Br F

CH₃ Br F

F CH₃ F

Cl CH₃ F

CH₃ CH₃ F

F C≡CH F

F SCH₃ F

F CH₂CH₂CH₃ F

Cl CH₂CH(OH)CH₃ F

F CH(CH₃)₂ F

Cl CF₃ F CH₂CH₃ F phenyl F CH₂CH₃ Cl phenyl F CH₂CH₃ F phenyl F CH₂CH₃Cl 3-pyridyl F CH₂CH₃ F 3-pyridyl F CH₂CH₃ Cl 4-pyridyl F CH₂CH₃ Fpyrazolyl F CH₂CH₃ Cl pyrazolyl F CH₂CH₃ CH₃ 4-pyridyl F CH₂CH₃ CH₃4-pyridyl F CH₂CH₃ CH₃ 2-(CH₃—SO₂—NH)- F phenyl CH₂CH₃ CH₃3-(CH₃—SO₂—NH)- F phenyl CH₂CH₃ F 3-(CH₃—SO₂—NH)- F phenyl CH₂CH₃ Cl3-(CH₃—SO₂—NH)- F phenyl CH₂CH₃ F phenyl F CH₂CH₃ Cl phenyl F CH₂CH₃ CH₃phenyl F 3-pyridyl CH(CH₃)₂ F 3-pyridyl F CH(CH₃)₂ Cl 4-pyridyl FCH(CH₃)₂ F pyrazolyl F CH(CH₃)₂ Cl pyrazolyl F CH(CH₃)₂ F 4-pyridyl FCH(CH₃)₂ Cl 4-pyridyl F CH(CH₃)₂ F 2-(CH₃—SO₂—NH)- F phenyl CH(CH₃)₂ Cl3-(CH₃—SO₂—NH)- F phenyl CH(CH₃)₂ F 3-(CH₃—SO₂—NH)- F phenyl CH(CH₃)₂ Cl3-(CH₃—SO₂—NH)- F phenyl CH(CH₃)₂ CH₃ phenyl F CH(CH₃)₂ Cl phenyl FCH(CH₃)₂ Fl phenyl F CH(CH₃)₂ Cl 3-pyridyl F 3-pyridyl CH(CH₃)₂ F4-pyridyl F CH(CH₃)₂ Cl pyrazolyl F CH(CH₃)₂ CH₃ pyrazolyl F CH(CH₃)₂CH₃ 4-pyridyl F CH(CH₃)₂ CH₃ 4-pyridyl F CH(CH₃)₂ CH₃ 2-(CH₃—SO₂—NH)- Fphenyl CH(CH₃)₂ F 3-(CH₃—SO₂—NH)- F phenyl CH(CH₃)₂ Cl 3-(CH₃—SO₂—NH)- Fphenyl 3-(CH₃—SO₂—NH)- phenyl n-butyl F phenyl F n-butyl Cl phenyl Fn-butyl F phenyl F n-butyl Cl 3-pyridyl F n-butyl F 3-pyridyl F n-butylCl 4-pyridyl F n-butyl F pyrazolyl F n-butyl Cl pyrazolyl F n-butyl CH₃4-pyridyl F n-butyl Cl 4-pyridyl F n-butyl F 2-(CH₃—SO₂—NH)- F phenyln-butyl CH₃ 3-(CH₃—SO₂—NH)- F phenyl n-butyl F 3-(CH₃—SO₂—NH)- F phenyl3-(CH₃—SO₂—NH)- phenyl n-butyl F phenyl F n-butyl Cl phenyl F phenylsec-butyl F 3-pyridyl F sec-butyl Cl 3-pyridyl F sec-butyl F 4-pyridyl Fsec-butyl Cl pyrazolyl F sec-butyl F pyrazolyl F sec-butyl Cl 4-pyridylF sec-butyl F 4-pyridyl F sec-butyl Cl CF₃ F CH₂CF₃ F phenyl F CH₂CF₃ Clphenyl F CH₂CF₃ F phenyl F CH₂CF₃ Cl 3-pyridyl F CH₂CF₃ F 3-pyridyl FCH₂CF₃ Cl 4-pyridyl F CH₂CF₃ F pyrazolyl F CH₂CF₃ Cl pyrazolyl F4-pyridyl CH₂CCl₃ F 4-pyridyl F CH₂CCl₃ Cl 2-(CH₃—SO₂—NH)- F phenylCH₂CCl₃ F 3-(CH₃—SO₂—NH)- F phenyl CH₂CCl₃ Cl 3-(CH₃—SO₂—NH)- F phenylCH₂CCl₃ F 3-(CH₃—SO₂—NH)- F phenyl CH₂CCl₃ Cl phenyl F CH₂CCl₃ F phenylF CH₂CCl₃ Cl phenyl F 3-pyridyl

F 3-pyridyl F

Cl 4-pyridyl F

F pyrazolyl F

Cl pyrazolyl F

F 4-pyridyl F

Cl 4-pyridyl F

F 2-(CH₃—SO₂—NH)-phenyl F

Cl 3-(CH₃—SO₂—NH)-phenyl F 3-(CH₃—SO₂—NH)- phenyl CH₂CH₂F F3-(CH₃—SO₂—NH)- F phenyl CH₂CH₂F Cl phenyl F CH₂CH₂F F phenyl F CH₂CH₂FCl phenyl F CH₂CH₂F F 3-pyridyl F CH₂CH₂F Cl 3-pyridyl F CH₂CH₂F F4-pyridyl F CH₂CH₂F Cl pyrazolyl F pyrazolyl CH₂CH₂Cl F 4-pyridyl FCH₂CH₂Cl Cl 4-pyridyl F CH₂CH₂Cl F 2-(CH₃—SO₂—NH)- F phenyl CH₂CH₂Cl Cl3-(CH₃—SO₂—NH)- F phenyl CH₂CH₂Cl F 3-(CH₃—SO₂—NH)- F phenyl CH₂CH₂Cl Cl3-(CH₃—SO₂—NH)- F phenyl CH₂CH₂Cl F phenyl F CH₂CH₂Cl Cl phenyl F phenylF 3-pyridyl F CH₂CH₂CH₂Cl CH₂CH₂CH₂Cl Cl 3-pyridyl F CH₂CH₂CH₂Cl F4-pyridyl F CH₂CH₂CH₂Cl Cl pyrazolyl F CH₂CH₂CH₂Cl F pyrazolyl FCH₂CH₂CH₂Cl Cl 4-pyridyl F CH₂CH₂CH₂Cl F 4-pyridyl F CH₂CH₂CH₂Cl Cl2-(CH₃—SO₂—NH)- F phenyl 3-(CH₃—SO₂—NH)- phenyl CH₂CH₂OH F3-(CH₃—SO₂—NH)- F phenyl CH₂CH₂OH Cl 3-(CH₃—SO₂—NH)- F phenyl CH₂CH₂OH Fphenyl F CH₂CH₂OH Cl phenyl F CH₂CH₂OH F phenyl F CH₂CH₂OH Cl 3-pyridylF CH₂CH₂OH F 3-pyridyl F CH₂CH₂OH Cl 4-pyridyl F pyrazolyl CH₂CH₂CH₂OH Fpyrazolyl F CH₂CH₂CH₂OH Cl 4-pyridyl F CH₂CH₂CH₂OH F 4-pyridyl FCH₂CH₂CH₂OH Cl 2-(CH₃—SO₂—NH)- F phenyl CH₂CH₂CH₂OH F 3-(CH₃—SO₂—NH)- Fphenyl CH₂CH₂CH₂OH Cl 3-(CH₃—SO₂—NH)- F phenyl CH₂CH₂CH₂OH F3-(CH₃—SO₂—NH)- F phenyl CH₂CH₂CH₂OH Cl phenyl F phenyl (CH₂)₄OH Fphenyl F (CH₂)₄OH Cl 3-pyridyl F (CH₂)₄OH F 3-pyridyl F (CH₂)₄OH Cl4-pyridyl F (CH₂)₄OH F pyrazolyl F (CH₂)₄OH Cl pyrazolyl F (CH₂)₄OH F4-pyridyl F (CH₂)₄OH Cl 4-pyridyl F 2-(CH₃—SO₂—NH)- phenyl CH₂CH₂OCH₃ F3-(CH₃—SO₂—NH)- F phenyl CH₂CH₂OCH₃ Cl 3-(CH₃—SO₂—NH)- F phenylCH₂CH₂OCH₃ F 3-(CH₃—SO₂—NH)- F phenyl CH₂CH₂OCH₃ Cl phenyl F CH₂CH₂OCH₃F phenyl F CH₂CH₂OCH₃ Cl phenyl F CH₂CH₂OCH₃ F 3-pyridyl F CH₂CH₂OCH₃ Cl3-pyridyl F 4-pyridyl (CH₂)₃OCH₃ F pyrazolyl F (CH₂)₃OCH₃ Cl pyrazolyl F(CH₂)₃OCH₃ F 4-pyridyl F (CH₂)₃OCH₃ Cl 4-pyridyl F (CH₂)₃OCH₃ F2-(CH₃—SO₂—NH)- F phenyl (CH₂)₃OCH₃ Cl 3-(CH₃—SO₂—NH)- F phenyl(CH₂)₃OCH₃ F 3-(CH₃—SO₂—NH)- F phenyl (CH₂)₃OCH₃ Cl 3-(CH₃—SO₂—NH)- Fphenyl phenyl CH₂CH₂OEt F phenyl F CH₂CH₂OEt Cl phenyl F CH₂CH₂OEt F3-pyridyl F CH₂CH₂OEt Cl 3-pyridyl F CH₂CH₂OEt F 4-pyridyl F CH₂CH₂OEtCl pyrazolyl F CH₂CH₂OEt F pyrazolyl F CH₂CH₂OEt Cl 4-pyridyl F

Tables 4a and 4b show embodiments of this invention which are compoundsof formula I, where G=R_(1d), Z is F, X is F and R_(1d) and R⁰ aredefined in the table. Each line in the table corresponds to five specieswhich differ only at position Y.

TABLE 4a

CMPD# A, A′ B R⁰  1(a-d) H, H H OCH₃  2(a-d) H, H H NHCH₃  3(a-d) H, H HCH₂CH₃  4(a-d) H, H H CH₂CH═CH₂  5(a-d) H, H H CN  6(a-d) H, H H CF₃ 7(a-d) H, H H F  8(a-d) H, H H C₆H₆  9(a-d) H, H —CH₂CH(OH)CH₂OH OCH₃10(a-d) H, H —CH₂CH(OH)CH₂OH NHCH₃ 11(a-d) H, H —CH₂CH(OH)CH₂OH CH₂CH₃12(a-d) —(CH₂)₂— —CH₂(C₃H₅) OCH₃ 13(a-d) —(CH₂)₂— —CH₂(C₃H₅) NHCH₃14(a-d) —(CH₂)₂— —CH₂(C₃H₅) CH₂CH₃ 15(a-d) —(CH₂)₂— CH₃ F 16(a-d)—(CH₂)₂— —CH₂CH₂OH F 17(a-d) —(CH₂)₂— —(CH₂)₂CH(OH)CH₂OH F 18(a-d) CH₃,H —(CH₂)₂CH(OH)CH₂OH F 19(a-d) —(CH₂)₂— CH₃ OCH₃ 20(a-d) —(CH₂)₂——CH₂CH₂OH OCH₃ 21(a-d) —(CH₂)₂— —(CH₂)₂CH(OH)CH₂OH OCH₃ 22(a-d) CH₃, H—(CH₂)₂CH(OH)CH₂OH OCH₃ 23(a-d) —(CH₂)₂— CH₃ H 24(a-d) —(CH₂)₂——CH₂CH₂OH H 25(a-d) —(CH₂)₂— —(CH₂)₂CH(OH)CH₂OH H 26(a-d) CH₃, H—(CH₂)₂CH(OH)CH₂OH H 27(a-d) H, H H OCH₃ 28(a-d) H, H H NHCH₃ 29(a-d) H,H H CH₂CH₃ 30(a-d) H, H H CH₂CH═CH₂ 31(a-d) H, H H CN 32(a-d) H, H H CF₃33(a-d) H, H H F 34(a-d) H, H H C₆H₆ 35(a-d) H, H —CH₂CH(OH)CH₂OH OCH₃36(a-d) H, H —CH₂CH(OH)CH₂OH NHCH₃ 37(a-d) H, H —CH₂CH(OH)CH₂OH CH₂CH₃38(a-d) —(CH₂)₂— —CH₂(C₃H₅) OCH₃ 39(a-d) —(CH₂)₂— —CH₂(C₃H₅) NHCH₃40(a-d) —(CH₂)₂— —CH₂(C₃H₅) CH₂CH₃ 41(a-d) —(CH₂)₂— CH₃ F 42(a-d)—(CH₂)₂— —CH₂CH₂OH F 43(a-d) —(CH₂)₂— —(CH₂)₂CH(OH)CH₂OH F 44(a-d) CH₃,H —(CH₂)₂CH(OH)CH₂OH F 45(a-d) —(CH₂)₂— CH₃ OCH₃ 46(a-d) —(CH₂)₂——CH₂CH₂OH OCH₃ 47(a-d) —(CH₂)₂— —(CH₂)₂CH(OH)CH₂OH OCH₃ 48(a-d) CH₃, H—(CH₂)₂CH(OH)CH₂OH OCH₃ 49(a-d) —(CH₂)₂— CH₃ H 50(a-d) —(CH₂)₂——CH₂CH₂OH H 51(a-d) —(CH₂)₂— —(CH₂)₂CH(OH)CH₂OH H 52(a-d) CH₃, H—(CH₂)₂CH(OH)CH₂OH H

TABLE 4b CMPD # A, A′ B R⁰  1(a-d) H, H H 2-furanyl  2(a-d) H, H H 1,2,3triazolyl-4- yl  3(a-d) H, H H 4-imidazolyl  4(a-d) H, H H 2-furanyl 5(a-d) H, H H 1,2,3 triazolyl-4- yl  6(a-d) H, H H 4-imidazolyl  7(a-d)H, H —(CH₂)₂CH(OH)CH₂OH 2-furanyl  8(a-d) H, H —(CH₂)₂CH(OH)CH₂OH 1,2,3triazolyl-4- yl  9(a-d) H, H —(CH₂)₂CH(OH)CH₂OH 4-imidazolyl 10(a-d)—(CH₂)₂— —CH₂(C₃H₅) 2-furanyl 11(a-d) —(CH₂)₂— —CH₂(C₃H₅) 1,2,3triazolyl-4- yl 12(a-d) —(CH₂)₂— —CH₂(C₃H₅) 4-imidazolyl 13(a-d)—(CH₂)₂— CH₃ 4-thiazolyl 14(a-d) —(CH₂)₂— —CH₂CH₂OH 4-thiazolyl 15(a-d)—(CH₂)₂— —(CH₂)₂CH(OH)CH₂OH 4-thiazolyl 16(a-d) CH₃, H—(CH₂)₂CH(OH)CH₂OH 4-thiazolyl 17(a-d) —(CH₂)₂— CH₃ 2-oxazolyl 18(a-d)—(CH₂)₂— —CH₂CH₂OH 2-oxazolyl 19(a-d) —(CH₂)₂— —(CH₂)₂CH(OH)CH₂OH2-oxazolyl 20(a-d) CH₃, H —(CH₂)₂CH(OH)CH₂OH 2-oxazolyl 21(a-d) H, H H2-furanyl 22(a-d) H, H H 1,2,3 triazolyl-4- yl 23(a-d) H, H H4-imidazolyl 24(a-d) H, H H 2-furanyl 25(a-d) H, H H 1,2,3 triazolyl-4-yl 26(a-d) H, H H 4-imidazolyl 27(a-d) H, H —CH₂CH(OH)CH₂OH 2-furanyl28(a-d) H, H —CH₂CH(OH)CH₂OH 1,2,3 triazolyl-4- yl 29(a-d) H, H—CH₂CH(OH)CH₂OH 4-imidazolyl 30(a-d) —(CH₂)₂— —CH₂(C₃H₅) 2-furanyl31(a-d) —(CH₂)₂— —CH₂(C₃H₅) 1,2,3 triazolyl-4- yl 32(a-d) —(CH₂)₂——CH₂(C₃H₅) 4-imidazolyl 33(a-d) —(CH₂)₂— CH₃ 4-thiazolyl 34(a-d)—(CH₂)₂— —CH₂CH₂OH 4-thiazolyl 35(a-d) —(CH₂)₂— —(CH₂)₂CH(OH)CH₂OH4-thiazolyl 36(a-d) CH₃, H —(CH₂)₂CH(OH)CH₂OH 4-thiazolyl 37(a-d)—(CH₂)₂— CH₃ 2-oxazolyl 38(a-d) —(CH₂)₂— —CH₂CH₂OH 2-oxazolyl 39(a-d)—(CH₂)₂— —(CH₂)₂CH(OH)CH₂OH 2-oxazolyl 40(a-d) CH₃, H —(CH₂)₂CH(OH)CH₂OH2-oxazolyl

Table 5a shows embodiments of this invention which are compounds offormula I, where G is Ar₁, Ar₂ or R_(1d), and where R⁰ is H, Z is F andG and X are defined in the table. Each line in the table corresponds tofive species (Y_(a), Y_(b), Y_(c), Y_(d) and Y_(e)) which differ only atposition Y, where Y_(a)=SCH₃; Y_(b)=Br; Y_(c)=I; Y_(d)=Cl; Y_(e)=CH₃.

TABLE 5a

Compound G = R_(1d), # Ar₁, or Ar₂ X  1 (a-e) phenyl Cl  2 (a-e) phenylF  3 (a-e) 2-F-phenyl Cl  4 (a-e) 2-F-phenyl F  5 (a-e) 3-F-phenyl Cl  6(a-e) 3-F-phenyl F  7 (a-e) 4-F-phenyl Cl  8 (a-e) 4-F-phenyl F  9 (a-e)2,4-di-F-phenyl Cl 10 (a-e) 2,4-di-F-phenyl F 11 (a-e) 2,5-di-F-phenylCl 12 (a-e) 2,5-di-F-phenyl F 13 (a-e) 2,6-di-F-phenyl Cl 14 (a-e)2,6-di-F-phenyl F 15 (a-e) 3,4-di-F-phenyl Cl 16 (a-e) 3,4-di-F-phenyl F17 (a-e) 3,5-di-F-phenyl Cl 18 (a-e) 3,5-di-F-phenyl F 19 (a-e)2,6-di-F-phenyl Cl 20 (a-e) 2,6-di-F-phenyl F 21 (a-e)2,3,4-tri-F-phenyl Cl 22 (a-e) 2,3,4-tri-F-phenyl F 23 (a-e)3,4,5-tri-F-phenyl Cl 24 (a-e) 3,4,5-tri-F-phenyl F 25 (a-e)penta-F-phenyl Cl 26 (a-e) penta-F-phenyl F 27 (a-e) 3-Cl-4-F-phenyl Cl28 (a-e) 3-Cl-4-F-phenyl F 29 (a-e) 2-Cl-4-F-phenyl Cl 30 (a-e)2-Cl-4-F-phenyl F 31 (a-e) 2-F-3-Cl-phenyl Cl 32 (a-e) 2-F-3-Cl-phenyl F33 (a-e) 2-F-4-Cl-phenyl Cl 34 (a-e) 2-F-4-Cl-phenyl F 35 (a-e)2-F-5-Cl-phenyl Cl 36 (a-e) 2-F-5-Cl-phenyl F 37 (a-e)3-cyano-4-F-phenyl Cl 38 (a-e) 3-cyano-4-F-phenyl F 39 (a-e) 2-Cl-phenylCl 40 (a-e) 2-Cl-phenyl F 41 (a-e) 3-Cl-phenyl Cl 42 (a-e) 3-Cl-phenyl F43 (a-e) 4-Cl-phenyl Cl 44 (a-e) 4-Cl-phenyl F 45 (a-e) 2,3-di-Cl-phenylCl 46 (a-e) 2,3-di-Cl-phenyl F 47 (a-e) 2,5-di-Cl-phenyl Cl 48 (a-e)2,5-di-Cl-phenyl F 49 (a-e) 2,6-di-Cl-phenyl Cl 50 (a-e)2,6-di-Cl-phenyl F 51 (a-e) 3,5-di-Cl-phenyl Cl 52 (a-e)3,5-di-Cl-phenyl F 53 (a-e) 2,4-di-Cl-phenyl Cl 54 (a-e)2,4-di-Cl-phenyl F 55 (a-e) 3,4-di-Cl-phenyl Cl 56 (a-e)3,4-di-Cl-phenyl F 57 (a-e) 2,4,6-tri-Cl-phenyl Cl 58 (a-e)2,4,6-tri-Cl-phenyl F 59 (a-e) 2-Cl-4-CF₃-phenyl Cl 60 (a-e)2-Cl-4-CF₃-phenyl F 61 (a-e) 2-CF₃-phenyl Cl 62 (a-e) 2-CF₃-phenyl F 63(a-e) 3-CF₃-phenyl Cl 64 (a-e) 3-CF₃-phenyl F 65 (a-e) 4-CF₃-phenyl Cl66 (a-e) 4-CF₃-phenyl F 67 (a-e) 2-CF₃O phenyl Cl 68 (a-e) 2-CF₃O phenylF 69 (a-e) 3-CF₃O phenyl Cl 70 (a-e) 3-CF₃O phenyl F 71 (a-e) 4-CF₃Ophenyl Cl 72 (a-e) 4-CF₃O phenyl F 73 (a-e) 2-CHF₂O phenyl Cl 74 (a-e)2-CHF₂O phenyl F 75 (a-e) 2-methyl-5-nitro-phenyl Cl 76 (a-e)2-methyl-5-nitro-phenyl F 77 (a-e) 2-cyano-phenyl Cl 78 (a-e)2-cyano-phenyl F 79 (a-e) 3-cyano-phenyl Cl 80 (a-e) 3-cyano-phenyl F 81(a-e) 4-cyano-phenyl Cl 82 (a-e) 4-cyano-phenyl F 83 (a-e)4-methoxy-phenyl Cl 84 (a-e) 4-methoxy-phenyl F 85 (a-e)3,4-dimethoxy-phenyl Cl 86 (a-e) 3,4-dimethoxy-phenyl F 87 (a-e)3-carbamyl-phenyl Cl 88 (a-e) 3-carbamyl-phenyl F 89 (a-e)3-carboxyl-phenyl Cl 90 (a-e) 3-carboxyl-phenyl F 91 (a-e)3-(N,N-dimethylcarbamoyl)phenyl Cl 92 (a-e)3-(N,N-dimethylcarbamoyl)phenyl F 93 (a-e) 4-methylsulfonyl-phenyl Cl 94(a-e) 4-methylsulfonyl-phenyl F 95 (a-e) 3-(1,3,4 oxadiazol-2-yl)phenylCl 96 (a-e) 3-(1,3,4 oxadiazol-2-yl)phenyl F 97 (a-e) 3-(1,3,4thiadiazol-2-yl)phenyl Cl 98 (a-e) 3-(1,3,4 thiadiazol-2-yl)phenyl F 99(a-e) 3-(5-methyl-1-1,3,4-oxadiazol)phenyl Cl 100 (a-e) 3-(5-methyl-1-1,3,4-oxadiazol)phenyl F 101 (a-e) 3-(5-methyl-1-1,3,4-thiadiazol)phenyl Cl 102 (a-e) 3-(5-methyl-1-1,3,4-thiadiazol)phenyl F 103 (a-e)  3-amidinyl-phenyl Cl104 (a-e)  3-amidinyl-phenyl F 105 (a-e)  3-(1H-tetrazolyl)phenyl Cl 106(a-e)  3-(1H-tetrazolyl)phenyl F 107 (a-e)  4-acetamido-phenyl Cl 108(a-e)  4-acetamido-phenyl F 109 (a-e) 3-Cl-4-[(N-morpholinylcarbonyl)amino]phenyl Cl 110 (a-e) 3-Cl-4-[(N-morpholinylcarbonyl)amino]phenyl F 111 (a-e) 3-Cl-4-[(N-pyrrolidinylcarbonyl)amino]phenyl Cl 112 (a-e) 3-Cl-4-[(N-pyrrolidinylcarbonyl)amino]phenyl F 113 (a-e) 3,5-dimethylisoxazolyl Cl 114 (a-e)  3,5-dimethylisoxazolyl F 115 (a-e) 4-(N-morpholinylsulfonyl)phenyl Cl 116 (a-e) 4-(N-morpholinylsulfonyl)phenyl F 117 (a-e)  3-F-benzyl Cl 118 (a-e) 3-F-benzyl F 119 (a-e)  4-F-benzyl Cl 120 (a-e)  4-F-benzyl F 121 (a-e) 3-F-phenyl-ethyl Cl 122 (a-e)  3-F-phenyl-ethyl F 123 (a-e) 4-F-phenyl-ethyl Cl 124 (a-e)  4-F-phenyl-ethyl F 125 (a-e) 8-quinolinyl Cl 126 (a-e)  8-quinolinyl F 127 (a-e)  2-thienyl Cl 128(a-e)  2-thienyl F 129 (a-e)  2,3-di-Cl-thien-5-yl Cl 130 (a-e) 2,3-di-Cl-thien-5-yl F 131 (a-e)  1,3,5 trimethyl-1H-pyrazolyl Cl 132(a-e)  1,3,5 trimethyl-1H-pyrazolyl F 133 (a-e) 1,3-dimethyl-5-Cl-1H-pyrazolyl Cl 134 (a-e) 1,3-dimethyl-5-Cl-1H-pyrazolyl F 135 (a-e) 1-methyl-3CF₃-1H-pyrazol-4-yl Cl 136 (a-e) 1-methyl-3CF₃-1H-pyrazol-4-yl F 137 (a-e) 2-acetamido-4-methyl-thiazol-5-yl Cl 138 (a-e) 2-acetamido-4-methyl-thiazol-5-yl F 139 (a-e)  2,4-dimethyl-thiazol-5-ylCl 140 (a-e)  2,4-dimethyl-thiazol-5-yl F 141 (a-e) 1,2-dimethyl-1H-imidazol-4-yl Cl 142 (a-e) 1,2-dimethyl-1H-imidazol-4-yl F

Table 5b shows embodiments of this invention which are compounds offormula I, where G is Ar₁, Ar₂ or R_(1d), and where R⁰ is H, Z is F andG and X are defined in the table. Each line in the table corresponds tofive species (Y_(a), Y_(b), Y_(c), Y_(d) and Y_(e)) which differ only atposition Y, where Y_(a)=phenyl; Y_(b)=3-substituted phenyl;Y_(c)=3-pyridyl; Y_(d)=4-pyridyl; Y_(e)=3-pyrazolyl.

TABLE 5b

Compound G = R_(1d), # Ar₁, or Ar₂ X  1 (a-e) phenyl Cl  2 (a-e) phenylF  3 (a-e) 2-F-phenyl Cl  4 (a-e) 2-F-phenyl F  5 (a-e) 3-F-phenyl Cl  6(a-e) 3-F-phenyl F  7 (a-e) 4-F-phenyl Cl  8 (a-e) 4-F-phenyl F  9 (a-e)2,4-di-F-phenyl Cl 10 (a-e) 2,4-di-F-phenyl F 11 (a-e) 2,5-di-F-phenylCl 12 (a-e) 2,5-di-F-phenyl F 13 (a-e) 2,6-di-F-phenyl Cl 14 (a-e)2,6-di-F-phenyl F 15 (a-e) 3,4-di-F-phenyl Cl 16 (a-e) 3,4-di-F-phenyl F17 (a-e) 3,5-di-F-phenyl Cl 18 (a-e) 3,5-di-F-phenyl F 19 (a-e)2,6-di-F-phenyl Cl 20 (a-e) 2,6-di-F-phenyl F 21 (a-e)2,3,4-tri-F-phenyl Cl 22 (a-e) 2,3,4-tri-F-phenyl F 23 (a-e)3,4,5-tri-F-phenyl Cl 24 (a-e) 3,4,5-tri-F-phenyl F 25 (a-e)penta-F-phenyl Cl 26 (a-e) penta-F-phenyl F 27 (a-e) 3-Cl-4-F-phenyl Cl28 (a-e) 3-Cl-4-F-phenyl F 29 (a-e) 2-Cl-4-F-phenyl Cl 30 (a-e)2-Cl-4-F-phenyl F 31 (a-e) 2-F-3-Cl-phenyl Cl 32 (a-e) 2-F-3-Cl-phenyl F33 (a-e) 2-F-4-Cl-phenyl Cl 34 (a-e) 2-F-4-Cl-phenyl F 35 (a-e)2-F-5-Cl-phenyl Cl 36 (a-e) 2-F-5-Cl-phenyl F 37 (a-e)3-cyano-4-F-phenyl Cl 38 (a-e) 3-cyano-4-F-phenyl F 39 (a-e) 2-Cl-phenylCl 40 (a-e) 2-Cl-phenyl F 41 (a-e) 3-Cl-phenyl Cl 42 (a-e) 3-Cl-phenyl F43 (a-e) 4-Cl-phenyl Cl 44 (a-e) 4-Cl-phenyl F 45 (a-e) 2,3-di-Cl-phenylCl 46 (a-e) 2,3-di-Cl-phenyl F 47 (a-e) 2,5-di-Cl-phenyl Cl 48 (a-e)2,5-di-Cl-phenyl F 49 (a-e) 2,6-di-Cl-phenyl Cl 50 (a-e)2,6-di-Cl-phenyl F 51 (a-e) 3,5-di-Cl-phenyl Cl 52 (a-e)3,5-di-Cl-phenyl F 53 (a-e) 2,4-di-Cl-phenyl Cl 54 (a-e)2,4-di-Cl-phenyl F 55 (a-e) 3,4-di-Cl-phenyl Cl 56 (a-e)3,4-di-Cl-phenyl F 57 (a-e) 2,4,6-tri-Cl-phenyl Cl 58 (a-e)2,4,6-tri-Cl-phenyl F 59 (a-e) 2-Cl-4-CF₃-phenyl Cl 60 (a-e)2-Cl-4-CF₃-phenyl F 61 (a-e) 2-CF₃-phenyl Cl 62 (a-e) 2-CF₃-phenyl F 63(a-e) 3-CF₃-phenyl Cl 64 (a-e) 3-CF₃-phenyl F 65 (a-e) 4-CF₃-phenyl Cl66 (a-e) 4-CF₃-phenyl F 67 (a-e) 2-CF₃O phenyl Cl 68 (a-e) 2-CF₃O phenylF 69 (a-e) 3-CF₃O phenyl Cl 70 (a-e) 3-CF₃O phenyl F 71 (a-e) 4-CF₃Ophenyl Cl 72 (a-e) 4-CF₃O phenyl F 73 (a-e) 4-CHF₂O-phenyl Cl 74 (a-e)4-CHF₂O-phenyl F 75 (a-e) 2-methyl-5-nitro-phenyl Cl 76 (a-e)2-methyl-5-nitro-phenyl F 77 (a-e) 2-cyano-phenyl Cl 78 (a-e)2-cyano-phenyl F 79 (a-e) 3-cyano-phenyl Cl 80 (a-e) 3-cyano-phenyl F 81(a-e) 4-cyano-phenyl Cl 82 (a-e) 4-cyano-phenyl F 83 (a-e)4-methoxy-phenyl Cl 84 (a-e) 4-methoxy-phenyl F 85 (a-e)3,4-dimethoxy-phenyl Cl 86 (a-e) 3,4-dimethoxy-phenyl F 87 (a-e)3-carbamyl-phenyl Cl 88 (a-e) 3-carbamyl-phenyl F 89 (a-e)3-carboxyl-phenyl Cl 90 (a-e) 3-carboxyl-phenyl F 91 (a-e)3-(N,N-dimethylcarbamoyl)phenyl Cl 92 (a-e)3-(N,N-dimethylcarbamoyl)phenyl F 93 (a-e) 4-methylsulfonyl-phenyl Cl 94(a-e) 4-methylsulfonyl-phenyl F 95 (a-e) 3-(1,3,4 oxadiazol-2-yl)phenylCl 96 (a-e) 3-(1,3,4 oxadiazol-2-yl)phenyl F 97 (a-e) 3-(1,3,4thiadiazol-2-yl)phenyl Cl 98 (a-e) 3-(1,3,4 thiadiazol-2-yl)phenyl F 99(a-e) 3-(5-methyl-1,3,4-oxadiazol)phenyl Cl 100 (a-e) 3-(5-methyl-1,3,4-oxadiazol)phenyl F 101 (a-e) 3-(5-methyl-1,3,4-thiadiazol)phenyl Cl 102 (a-e) 3-(5-methyl-1,3,4-thiadiazol)phenyl F 103 (a-e)  3-amidinyl-phenyl Cl104 (a-e)  3-amidinyl-phenyl F 105 (a-e)  3-(1H-tetrazolyl)phenyl Cl 106(a-e)  3-(1H-tetrazolyl)phenyl F 107 (a-e)  4-acetamido-phenyl Cl 108(a-e)  4-acetamido-phenyl F 109 (a-e)  3-Cl-4-[(N-morpholinylcarbonyl)Cl amino]phenyl 110 (a-e)  3-Cl-4-[(N-morpholinylcarbonyl) Famino]phenyl 111 (a-e)  3-Cl-4-[(N-pyrrolidinylcarbonyl) Cl amino]phenyl112 (a-e)  3-Cl-4-[(N-pyrrolidinylcarbonyl) F amino]phenyl 113 (a-e) 3,5-dimethylisoxazolyl Cl 114 (a-e)  3,5-dimethylisoxazolyl F 115 (a-e) 4-(N-morpholinylsulfonyl)phenyl Cl 116 (a-e) 4-(N-morpholinylsulfonyl)phenyl F 117 (a-e)  3-F-benzyl Cl 118 (a-e) 3-F-benzyl F 119 (a-e)  4-F-benzyl Cl 120 (a-e)  4-F-benzyl F 121 (a-e) 3-F-phenyl-ethyl Cl 122 (a-e)  3-F-phenyl-ethyl F 123 (a-e) 4-F-phenyl-ethyl Cl 124 (a-e)  4-F-phenyl-ethyl F 125 (a-e) 8-quinolinyl Cl 126 (a-e)  8-quinolinyl F 127 (a-e)  2-thienyl Cl 128(a-e)  2-thienyl F 129 (a-e)  2,3-di-Cl-thien-5-yl Cl 130 (a-e) 2,3-di-Cl-thien-5-yl F 131 (a-e)  1,3,5 trimethyl-1H-pyrazolyl Cl 132(a-e)  1,3,5 trimethyl-1H-pyrazolyl F 133 (a-e) 1,3-dimethyl-5-Cl-1H-pyrazolyl Cl 134 (a-e) 1,3-dimethyl-5-Cl-1H-pyrazolyl F 135 (a-e) 1-methyl-3-CF₃-1H-pyrazol-4-yl Cl 136 (a-e) 1-methyl-3-CF₃-1H-pyrazol-4-yl F 137 (a-e) 2-acetamido-4-methyl-thiazol-5-yl Cl 138 (a-e) 2-acetamido-4-methyl-thiazol-5-yl F 139 (a-e)  2,4-dimethyl-thiazol-5-ylCl 140 (a-e)  2,4-dimethyl-thiazol-5-yl F 141 (a-e) 1,2-dimethyl-1H-imidazol-4-yl Cl 142 (a-e) 1,2-dimethyl-1H-imidazol-4-yl F 143 (a-e)  1-(2-hydroxyethyl)cyclopropyl F 144 (a-e)  1-(3-hydroxypropyl) cyclopropyl F 145 (a-e) 1-(2,3-dihydroxypropyl) cyclopropyl F 146 (a-e)  1-(3,4-dihydroxybutyl)cyclopropyl F 147 (a-e)  1-(2,3-dihydroxypropyl) cyclobutyl F

Synthetic Procedures

In another aspect, methods for synthesizing the compounds describedherein are provided. In some embodiments, the compounds described hereincan be prepared by the methods described below. The procedures andexamples below are intended to illustrate those methods. Neither theprocedures nor the examples should be construed as limiting theinvention in any way. Compounds described herein may also be synthesizedusing standard synthetic techniques known to those of skill in the artor using methods known in the art in combination with methods describedherein. In additions, solvents, temperatures and other reactionconditions presented herein may vary according to the practice andknowledge of those of skill in the art.

The starting materials used for the synthesis of the compounds asdescribed herein can be obtained from commercial sources, such asAldrich Chemical Co. (Milwaukee, Wis.), Sigma Chemical Co. (St. Louis,Mo.), or the starting materials can be synthesized. The compoundsdescribed herein, and other related compounds having differentsubstituents can be synthesized using techniques and materials known tothose of skill in the art, such as described, for example, in March,ADVANCED ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 4^(th) Ed., (Wiley 1992); Carey and Sundberg,ADVANCED ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 4^(th) Ed., Vols. A and B (Plenum 2000,2001), and Green and Wuts, PROTECTIVE GROUPS IN ORGANIC SYNTHESIS 3^(rd)Ed., (Wiley 1999) (all of which are incorporated by reference in theirentirety). General methods for the preparation of compound as disclosedherein may be derived from known reactions in the field, and thereactions may be modified by the use of appropriate reagents andconditions, as would be recognized by the skilled person, for theintroduction of the various moieties found in the formulae as providedherein. As a guide the following synthetic methods may be utilized.

Formation of Covalent Linkages by Reaction of an Electrophile with aNucleophile

The compounds described herein can be modified using variouselectrophiles or nucleophiles to form new functional groups orsubstituents. The table below entitled “Examples of Covalent Linkagesand Precursors Thereof” lists selected examples of covalent linkages andprecursor functional groups which yield and can be used as guidancetoward the variety of electrophiles and nucleophiles combinationsavailable. Precursor functional groups are shown as electrophilic groupsand nucleophilic groups.

Examples of Covalent Linkages and Precursors Thereof Covalent LinkageProduct Electrophile Nucleophile Carboxamides Activated estersAmines/anilines Carboxamides Acyl azides Amines/anilines CarboxamidesAcyl halides Amines/anilines Esters Acyl halides Alcohols/phenols EstersAcyl nitriles Alcohols/phenols Carboxamides Acyl nitrilesAmines/anilines Imines Aldehydes Amines/anilines Hydrazones Aldehydes orketones Hydrazines Oximes Aldehydes or ketones Hydroxylamines Alkylamines Alkyl halides Amines/anilines Esters Alkyl halides Carboxylicacids Thioethers Alkyl halides Thiols Ethers Alkyl halidesAlcohols/phenols Thioethers Alkyl sulfonates Thiols Esters Alkylsulfonates Carboxylic acids Ethers Alkyl sulfonates Alcohols/phenolsEsters Anhydrides Alcohols/phenols Carboxamides AnhydridesAmines/anilines Thiophenols Aryl halides Thiols Aryl amines Aryl halidesAmines Thioethers Azindines Thiols Boronate esters Boronates GlycolsCarboxamides Carboxylic acids Amines/anilines Esters Carboxylic acidsAlcohols Hydrazines Hydrazides Carboxylic acids N-acylureas orAnhydrides Carbodiimides Carboxylic acids Esters Diazoalkanes Carboxylicacids Thioethers Epoxides Thiols Thioethers Haloacetamides ThiolsAmmotriazines Halotriazines Amines/anilines Triazinyl ethersHalotriazines Alcohols/phenols Amidines Imido esters Amines/anilinesUreas Isocyanates Amines/anilines Urethanes Isocyanates Alcohols/phenolsThioureas Isothiocyanates Amines/anilines Thioethers Maleimides ThiolsPhosphite esters Phosphoramidites Alcohols Silyl ethers Silyl halidesAlcohols Alkyl amines Sulfonate esters Amines/anilines ThioethersSulfonate esters Thiols Esters Sulfonate esters Carboxylic acids EthersSulfonate esters Alcohols Sulfonamides Sulfonyl halides Amines/anilinesSulfonate esters Sulfonyl halides Phenols/alcohols

Use of Protecting Groups

In the reactions described, it may be necessary to protect reactivefunctional groups, for example hydroxy, amino, imino, thio or carboxygroups, where these are desired in the final product, to avoid theirunwanted participation in the reactions. Protecting groups are used toblock some or all reactive moieties and prevent such groups fromparticipating in chemical reactions until the protective group isremoved. It is preferred that each protective group be removable by adifferent means. Protective groups that are cleaved under totallydisparate reaction conditions fulfill the requirement of differentialremoval. Protective groups can be removed by acid, base, andhydrogenolysis. Groups such as trityl, dimethoxytrityl, acetal andt-butyldimethylsilyl are acid labile and may be used to protect carboxyand hydroxy reactive moieties in the presence of amino groups protectedwith Cbz groups, which are removable by hydrogenolysis, and Fmoc groups,which are base labile. Carboxylic acid and hydroxy reactive moieties maybe blocked with base labile groups such as, but not limited to, methyl,ethyl, and acetyl in the presence of amines blocked with acid labilegroups such as t-butyl carbamate or with carbamates that are both acidand base stable but hydrolytically removable.

Carboxylic acid and hydroxy reactive moieties may also be blocked withhydrolytically removable protective groups such as the benzyl group,while amine groups capable of hydrogen bonding with acids may be blockedwith base labile groups such as Fmoc. Carboxylic acid reactive moietiesmay be protected by conversion to simple ester compounds as exemplifiedherein, or they may be blocked with oxidatively-removable protectivegroups such as 2,4-dimethoxybenzyl, while co-existing amino groups maybe blocked with fluoride labile silyl carbamates.

Allyl blocking groups are useful in then presence of acid- andbase-protecting groups since the former are stable and can besubsequently removed by metal or pi-acid catalysts. For example, anallyl-blocked carboxylic acid can be deprotected with a Pd-catalyzedreaction in the presence of acid labile t-butyl carbamate or base-labileacetate amine protecting groups. Yet another form of protecting group isa resin to which a compound or intermediate may be attached. As long asthe residue is attached to the resin, that functional group is blockedand cannot react. Once released from the resin, the functional group isavailable to react.

Protecting or blocking groups may be selected from:

Other protecting groups, plus a detailed description of techniquesapplicable to the creation of protecting groups and their removal aredescribed in Greene and Wuts, Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis,3rd Ed., John Wiley & Sons, New York, N.Y., 1999, and Kocienski,Protective Groups, Thieme Verlag, New York, N.Y., 1994, which areincorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

Preparing Compounds of Formula I

Compounds of this invention can be prepared by a variety of methods. Theprocedures below are intended to illustrate those methods, and theexamples given are intended to illustrate the scope of this invention.Neither the methods not the examples should be construed as limiting theinvention in any way.

I. The Preparation of Compound of Formula VI is Outlined Below

Scheme I above illustrates the preparation of sulfonamide derivatives offormula VI. 1,2 Diamine derivative (formula IV) can be easily preparedin two steps from the desired nitro derivatives (formula I). Compoundsof formula IV can be reacted with the sulfonyl chloride derivatives(formula V, see next scheme) to form the desired sulfonamide.Alternatively, the 1,2 diamine derivatives IV can be protected to for animidazolidone (formula VII), before being reacted with the correspondingsulfonyl chloride. Deprotection of the 1,2 diamine VIII under basicconditions provided the desired material VI.

II. The General Route to Synthesis Compound of General Formula V isOutlined Below

Scheme II above shows one example of the preparation of complex sulfonylchloride. Compound XX can be synthesized from IX, alkylated, andconverted to the potassium salt XII. Treatment of the salt with SOCl₂ orPOCl₃ affords the desired compounds. Other more specific procedures toprepare unique sulfonyl chloride derivatives are reported in theexperimental section.

III. The General Route to Synthesis Compound of General Formula XIII isOutlines Scheme 3.

Scheme III above illustrates the preparation of sulfonamide derivativesof general formula XIII. For example, these compounds can be easilyobtained by reacting the compound VI with a boronic acid using apalladium catalyst under Suzuki conditions.

IV. The General Route to Synthesis Compound of General Formula XIII isOutlines Scheme 4.

Scheme IV above illustrates the preparation of sulfonamide derivativesof general formula XV. The vinyl sulfonamide (XIV) is reacted withamines to form derivatives of general formulas XV.

Further Forms of Compounds of Formula I Isomers of Compounds of FormulaI

The compounds described herein may exist as geometric isomers. Thecompounds described herein may possess one or more double bonds. Thecompounds presented herein include all cis, trans, syn, anti, entgegen(E), and zusammen (Z) isomers as well as the corresponding mixturesthereof. In some situations, compounds may exist as tautomers. Thecompounds described herein include all possible tautomers within theformulas described herein. The compounds described herein may possessone or more chiral centers and each center may exist in the R or Sconfiguration. The compounds described herein include alldiastereomeric, enantiomeric, and epimeric forms as well as thecorresponding mixtures thereof. In additional embodiments of thecompounds and methods provided herein, mixtures of enantiomers and/ordiastereoisomers, resulting from a single preparative step, combination,or interconversion may also be useful for the applications describedherein. The compounds described herein can be prepared as theirindividual stereoisomers by reacting a racemic mixture of the compoundwith an optically active resolving agent to form a pair ofdiastereoisomeric compounds, separating the diastereomers and recoveringthe optically pure enantiomers. While resolution of enantiomers can becarried out using covalent diastereomeric derivatives of the compoundsdescribed herein, dissociable complexes are preferred (e.g., crystallinediastereomeric salts). Diastereomers have distinct physical properties(e.g., melting points, boiling points, solubilities, reactivity, etc.)and can be readily separated by taking advantage of thesedissimilarities. The diastereomers can be separated by chiralchromatography, or preferably, by separation/resolution techniques basedupon differences in solubility. The optically pure enantiomer is thenrecovered, along with the resolving agent, by any practical means thatwould not result in racemization. A more detailed description of thetechniques applicable to the resolution of stereoisomers of compoundsfrom their racemic mixture can be found in Jean Jacques, Andre Collet,Samuel H. Wilen, “Enantiomers, Racemates and Resolutions,” John WileyAnd Sons, Inc., 1981, herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Labeled Compounds of Formula I

Also described herein are isotopically-labeled compounds of formula Iand methods of treating disorders. For example, the invention providesfor methods of treating diseases, by administering isotopically-labeledcompounds of formula I. The isotopically-labeled compounds of formula Ican be administered as pharmaceutical compositions. Thus, compounds offormula I also include isotopically-labeled compounds, which areidentical to those recited herein, but for the fact that one or moreatoms are replaced by an atom having an atomic mass or mass numberdifferent from the atomic mass or mass number usually found in nature.Examples of isotopes that can be incorporated into compounds of theinvention include isotopes of hydrogen, carbon, nitrogen, oxygen,phosphorous, sulfur, fluorine and chloride, such as ²H, ³H, ¹³C, ¹⁴C,¹⁵N, ¹⁸O, ¹⁷O, ³¹P, ³²P, ³⁵S, ¹⁸F, and ³⁶Cl, respectively. Compoundsdescribed herein, pharmaceutically acceptable salts, esters, prodrugs,solvate, hydrates or derivatives thereof which contain theaforementioned isotopes and/or other isotopes of other atoms are withinthe scope of this invention. Certain isotopically-labeled compounds offormula I, for example those into which radioactive isotopes such as ³Hand ¹⁴C are incorporated, are useful in drug and/or substrate tissuedistribution assays. Tritiated, i.e., ³H and carbon-14, i.e., ¹⁴C,isotopes are particularly preferred for their ease of preparation anddetectability. Further, substitution with heavier isotopes such asdeuterium, i.e., ²H, can afford certain therapeutic advantages resultingfrom greater metabolic stability, for example increased in vivohalf-life or reduced dosage requirements and, hence, may be preferred insome circumstances. Isotopically labeled compounds, pharmaceuticallyacceptable salt, ester, prodrug, solvate, hydrate or derivative thereofcan generally be prepared by carrying out procedures described herein,by substituting a readily available isotopically labeled reagent for anon-isotopically labeled reagent.

The compounds described herein may be labeled by other means, including,but not limited to, the use of chromophores or fluorescent moieties,bioluminescent labels, or chemiluminescent labels.

Pharmaceutically Acceptable Salts of Compounds of Formula I

Also described herein are pharmaceutically acceptable salts of compoundsof formula I and methods of treating disorders. For example, theinvention provides for methods of treating diseases, by administeringpharmaceutically acceptable salts of compounds of formula I. Thepharmaceutically acceptable salts of compounds of formula I can beadministered as pharmaceutical compositions.

Thus, the compounds described herein can be prepared as pharmaceuticallyacceptable salts formed when an acidic proton present in the parentcompound either is replaced by a metal ion, for example an alkali metalion, an alkaline earth ion, or an aluminum ion; or coordinates with anorganic base. Base addition salts can also be prepared by reacting thefree acid form of the compounds described herein with a pharmaceuticallyacceptable inorganic or organic base, including, but not limited toorganic bases such as ethanolamine, diethanolamine, triethanolamine,tromethamine, N-methylglucamine, and the like and inorganic bases suchas aluminum hydroxide, calcium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, sodiumcarbonate, sodium hydroxide, and the like. In addition, the salt formsof the disclosed compounds can be prepared using salts of the startingmaterials or intermediates.

Further, the compounds described herein can be prepared aspharmaceutically acceptable salts formed by reacting the free base formof the compound with a pharmaceutically acceptable inorganic or organicacid, including, but not limited to, inorganic acids such ashydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, sulfuric acid, nitric acid,phosphoric acid metaphosphoric acid, and the like; and organic acidssuch as acetic acid, propionic acid, hexanoic acid,cyclopentanepropionic acid, glycolic acid, pyruvic acid, lactic acid,malonic acid, succinic acid, malic acid, maleic acid, fumaric acid,Q-toluenesulfonic acid, tartaric acid, trifluoroacetic acid, citricacid, benzoic acid, 3-(4-hydroxybenzoyl)benzoic acid, cinnamic acid,mandelic acid, arylsulfonic acid, methanesulfonic acid, ethanesulfonicacid, 1,2-ethanedisulfonic acid, 2-hydroxyethanesulfonic acid,benzenesulfonic acid, 2-naphthalenesulfonic acid,4-methylbicyclo-[2.2.2]oct-2-ene-1-carboxylic acid, glucoheptonic acid,4,4′-methylenebis-(3-hydroxy-2-ene-1-carboxylic acid), 3-phenylpropionicacid, trimethylacetic acid, tertiary butylacetic acid, lauryl sulfuricacid, gluconic acid, glutamic acid, hydroxynaphthoic acid, salicylicacid, stearic acid, and muconic acid.

Solvates of Compounds of Formula I

Also described herein are solvates of compounds of formula I and methodsof treating disorders. For example, the invention provides for methodsof treating diseases, by administering solvates of compounds of formulaI. The solvates of compounds of formula I can be administered aspharmaceutical compositions.

Solvates contain either stoichiometric or non-stoichiometric amounts ofa solvent, and may be formed during the process of crystallization withpharmaceutically acceptable solvents such as water, ethanol, and thelike. Hydrates are formed when the solvent is water, or alcoholates areformed when the solvent is alcohol. Solvates of the compounds describedherein can be conveniently prepared or formed during the processesdescribed herein. By way of example only, hydrates of the compoundsdescribed herein can be conveniently prepared by recrystallization froman aqueous/organic solvent mixture, using organic solvents including,but not limited to, dioxane, tetrahydrofuran or methanol. In addition,the compounds provided herein can exist in unsolvated as well assolvated forms. In general, the solvated forms are considered equivalentto the unsolvated forms for the purposes of the compounds and methodsprovided herein.

Polymorphs of Compounds of Formula I

Also described herein are polymorphs of compounds of formula I andmethods of treating disorders. For example, the invention provides formethods of treating diseases, by administering polymorphs of compoundsof formula I. The polymorphs of compounds of formula I can beadministered as pharmaceutical compositions.

Thus, the compounds described herein include all their crystallineforms, known as polymorphs. Polymorphs include the different crystalpacking arrangements of the same elemental composition of a compound.Polymorphs may have different X-ray diffraction patterns, infraredspectra, melting points, density, hardness, crystal shape, optical andelectrical properties, stability, and solubility. Various factors suchas the recrystallization solvent, rate of crystallization, and storagetemperature may cause a single crystal form to dominate.

Prodrugs of Compounds of Formula I

Also described herein are prodrugs of compounds of formula I and methodsof treating disorders. For example, the invention provides for methodsof treating diseases, by administering prodrugs of compounds of formulaI. The prodrugs of compounds of formula I can be administered aspharmaceutical compositions.

Prodrugs are generally drug precursors that, following administration toa subject and subsequent absorption, are converted to an active, or amore active species via some process, such as conversion by a metabolicpathway. Some prodrugs have a chemical group present on the prodrug thatrenders it less active and/or confers solubility or some other propertyto the drug. Once the chemical group has been cleaved and/or modifiedfrom the prodrug the active drug is generated. Prodrugs are often usefulbecause, in some situations, they may be easier to administer than theparent drug. They may, for instance, be bioavailable by oraladministration whereas the parent is not. The prodrug may also haveimproved solubility in pharmaceutical compositions over the parent drug.An example, without limitation, of a prodrug would be a compound asdescribed herein which is administered as an ester (the “prodrug”) tofacilitate transmittal across a cell membrane where water solubility isdetrimental to mobility but which then is metabolically hydrolyzed tothe carboxylic acid, the active entity, once inside the cell wherewater-solubility is beneficial. A further example of a prodrug might bea short peptide (polyamino acid) bonded to an acid group where thepeptide is metabolized to reveal the active moiety.

Prodrugs may be designed as reversible drug derivatives, for use asmodifiers to enhance drug transport to site-specific tissues. The designof prodrugs to date has been to increase the effective water solubilityof the therapeutic compound for targeting to regions where water is theprincipal solvent. See, e.g., Fedorak et al., Am. J. Physiol.,269:G₂₁₀-218 (1995); McLoed et al., Gastroenterol, 106:405-413 (1994);Hochhaus et al., Biomed. Chrom., 6:283-286 (1992); J. Larsen and H.Bundgaard, Int. J. Pharmaceutics, 37, 87 (1987); J. Larsen et al., Int.J. Pharmaceutics, 47, 103 (1988); Sinkula et al., J. Pharm. Sci.,64:181-210 (1975); T. Higuchi and V. Stella, Pro-drugs as Novel DeliverySystems, Vol. 14 of the A.C.S. Symposium Series; and Edward B. Roche,Bioreversible Carriers in Drug Design, American PharmaceuticalAssociation and Pergamon Press, 1987, all incorporated herein in theirentirety.

Additionally, prodrug derivatives of compounds described herein can beprepared by methods known to those of ordinary skill in the art (e.g.,for further details see Saulnier et al., (1994), Bioorganic andMedicinal Chemistry Letters, Vol. 4, p. 1985). By way of example only,appropriate prodrugs can be prepared by reacting a non-derivatizedcompound of formula I with a suitable carbamylating agent, such as, butnot limited to, 1,1-acyloxyalkylcarbanochloridate, para-nitrophenylcarbonate, or the like. Prodrug forms of the herein described compounds,wherein the prodrug is metabolized in vivo to produce a derivative asset forth herein are included within the scope of the claims. Indeed,some of the herein-described compounds may be a prodrug for anotherderivative or active compound.

In some embodiments, prodrugs include compounds wherein an amino acidresidue, or a polypeptide chain of two or more (e.g., two, three orfour) amino acid residues is covalently joined through an amide or esterbond to a free amino, hydroxy or carboxylic acid group of compounds ofthe present invention. The amino acid residues include but are notlimited to the 20 naturally occurring amino acids commonly designated bythree letter symbols and also includes 4-hydroxyproline, hydroxylysine,demosine, isodemosine, 3-methylhistidine, norvaline, beta-alanine,gamma-aminobutyric acid, cirtulline, homocysteine, homoserine, ornithineand methionine sulfone. Additional types of prodrugs are alsoencompassed.

Compounds of formula I having free amino, amido, hydroxy or carboxylicgroups can be converted into prodrugs. For instance, free carboxylgroups can be derivatized as amides or alkyl esters. Free hydroxy groupsmay be derivatized using groups including but not limited tohemisuccinates, phosphate esters, dimethylaminoacetates, andphosphoryloxymethyloxycarbonyls, as outlined in Advanced Drug DeliveryReviews 1996, 19, 115. Carbamate prodrugs of hydroxy and amino groupsare also included, as are carbonate prodrugs, sulfonate esters andsulfate esters of hydroxy groups.

Derivatization of hydroxy groups as (acyloxy)methyl and (acyloxy)ethylethers wherein the acyl group may be an alkyl ester, optionallysubstituted with groups including but not limited to ether, amine andcarboxylic acid functionalities, or where the acyl group is an aminoacid ester as described above, are also encompassed. Prodrugs of thistype are described in J. Med. Chem. 1996, 39, 10. Free amines can alsobe derivatized as amides, sulfonamides or phosphonamides. All of theseprodrug moieties may incorporate groups including but not limited toether, amine and carboxylic acid functionalities.

Sites on the aromatic ring portions of compounds of formula I may besusceptible to various metabolic reactions, therefore incorporation ofappropriate substituents on the aromatic ring structures, can reduce,minimize or eliminate this metabolic pathway.

Pharmaceutical Compositions

Described herein are pharmaceutical compositions. In some embodiments,the pharmaceutical compositions comprise an effective amount of acompound formula I, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, ester,prodrug, solvate, hydrate or derivative thereof. In some embodiments,the pharmaceutical compositions comprise an effective amount of acompound formula I, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, ester,prodrug, solvate, hydrate or derivative thereof and at least onepharmaceutically acceptable carrier. In some embodiments thepharmaceutical compositions are for the treatment of disorders. In someembodiments the pharmaceutical compositions are for the treatment ofdisorders in a mammal. In some embodiments the pharmaceuticalcompositions are for the treatment of disorders in a human.

MEK Modulation

Also described herein are methods of modulating MEK activity bycontacting MEK with an amount of a compound of formula I sufficient tomodulate the activity of MEK. Modulate can be inhibiting or activatingMEK activity. In some embodiments, the invention provides methods ofinhibiting MEK activity by contacting MEK with an amount of a compoundof formula I sufficient to inhibit the activity of MEK. In someembodiments, the invention provides methods of inhibiting MEK activityin a solution by contacting said solution with an amount of a compoundof formula I sufficient to inhibit the activity of MEK in said solution.In some embodiments, the invention provides methods of inhibiting MEKactivity in a cell by contacting said cell with an amount of a compounddescribed herein sufficient to inhibit the activity of MEK in said cell.In some embodiments, the invention provides methods of inhibiting MEKactivity in a tissue by contacting said tissue with an amount of acompound described herein sufficient to inhibit the activity of MEK insaid tissue. In some embodiments, the invention provides methods ofinhibiting MEK activity in an organism by contacting said organism withan amount of a compound described herein sufficient to inhibit theactivity of MEK in said organism. In some embodiments, the inventionprovides methods of inhibiting MEK activity in an animal by contactingsaid animal with an amount of a compound described herein sufficient toinhibit the activity of MEK in said animal. In some embodiments, theinvention provides methods of inhibiting MEK activity in a mammal bycontacting said mammal with an amount of a compound described hereinsufficient to inhibit the activity of MEK in said mammal. In someembodiments, the invention provides methods of inhibiting MEK activityin a human by contacting said human with an amount of a compounddescribed herein sufficient to inhibit the activity of MEK in saidhuman.

Abnormal Cell Growth

Also described herein are compounds, pharmaceutical compositions andmethods for inhibiting abnormal cell growth. In some embodiments, theabnormal cell growth occurs in a mammal. Methods for inhibiting abnormalcell growth comprise administering an effective amount of a compound offormula I, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, ester, prodrug,solvate, hydrate or derivative thereof, wherein abnormal cell growth isinhibited. Methods for inhibiting abnormal cell growth in a mammalcomprise administering to the mammal an amount of a compound of formulaI, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, ester, prodrug, solvate,hydrate or derivative thereof, wherein the amounts of the compound,salt, ester, prodrug, solvate, hydrate or derivative, is effective ininhibiting abnormal cell growth in the mammal.

In some embodiments, the methods comprise administering an effectiveamount of a compound of formula I, or a pharmaceutically acceptablesalt, ester, prodrug, solvate, hydrate or derivative thereof, incombination with an amount of a chemotherapeutic, wherein the amounts ofthe compound, salt, ester, prodrug, solvate, hydrate or derivative, andof the chemotherapeutic are together effective in inhibiting abnormalcell growth. Many chemotherapeutics are presently known in the art andcan be used in combination with the compounds of the invention. In someembodiments, the chemotherapeutic is selected from the group consistingof mitotic inhibitors, alkylating agents, anti-metabolites,intercalating antibiotics, growth factor inhibitors, cell cycleinhibitors, enzymes, topoisomerase inhibitors, biological responsemodifiers, anti-hormones, angiogenesis inhibitors, and anti-androgens.

Also described are methods for inhibiting abnormal cell growth in amammal comprising administering to the mammal an amount of a compound offormula I, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, ester, prodrug,solvate, hydrate or derivative thereof, in combination with radiationtherapy, wherein the amounts of the compound, salt, ester, prodrug,solvate, hydrate or derivative, is in combination with the radiationtherapy effective in inhibiting abnormal cell growth or treating thehyperproliferative disorder in the mammal. Techniques for administeringradiation therapy are known in the art, and these techniques can be usedin the combination therapy described herein. The administration of thecompound of formula I in this combination therapy can be determined asdescribed herein.

The invention also relates to a method of and to a pharmaceuticalcomposition of inhibiting abnormal cell growth in a mammal whichcomprises an amount of a compound of formula I, or a pharmaceuticallyacceptable salt, ester, prodrug, solvate, hydrate or derivative thereof,or an isotopically-labeled derivative thereof, and an amount of one ormore substances selected from anti-angiogenesis agents, signaltransduction inhibitors, and antiproliferative agents.

Anti-angiogenesis agents, such as MMP-2 (matrix-metalloprotienase 2)inhibitors, MMP-9 (matrix-metalloprotienase 9) inhibitors, and COX-11(cyclooxygenase 11) inhibitors, can be used in conjunction with acompound of the present invention and pharmaceutical compositionsdescribed herein. Examples of useful COX-II inhibitors include CELEBREX™(alecoxib), valdecoxib, and rofecoxib. Examples of useful matrixmetalloproteinase inhibitors are described in WO 96/33172 (publishedOct. 24, 1996), WO 96/27583 (published Mar. 7, 1996), European PatentApplication No. 97304971.1 (filed Jul. 8, 1997), European PatentApplication No. 99308617.2 (filed Oct. 29, 1999), WO 98/07697 (publishedFeb. 26, 1998), WO 98/03516 (published Jan. 29, 1998), WO 98/34918(published Aug. 13, 1998), WO 98/34915 (published Aug. 13, 1998), WO98/33768 (published Aug. 6, 1998), WO 98/30566 (published Jul. 16,1998), European Patent Publication 606,046 (published Jul. 13, 1994),European Patent Publication 931, 788 (published Jul. 28, 1999), WO90/05719 (published May 31, 1990), WO 99/52910 (published Oct. 21,1999), WO 99/52889 (published Oct. 21, 1999), WO 99/29667 (publishedJun. 17, 1999), PCT International Application No. PCT/IB98/01113 (filedJul. 21, 1998), European Patent Application No. 99302232.1 (filed Mar.25, 1999), Great Britain Patent Application No. 9912961.1 (filed Jun. 3,1999), U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/148,464 (filed Aug. 12,1999), U.S. Pat. No. 5,863,949 (issued Jan. 26, 1999), U.S. Pat. No.5,861,510 (issued Jan. 19, 1999), and European Patent Publication780,386 (published Jun. 25, 1997), all of which are incorporated hereinin their entireties by reference. Preferred MMP-2 and MMP-9 inhibitorsare those that have little or no activity inhibiting MMP-1. Morepreferred, are those that selectively inhibit MMP-2 and/or AMP-9relative to the other matrix-metalloproteinases (i.e., MAP-1, MMP-3,MMP-4, MMP-5, MMP-6, MMP-7, MMP-8, MMP-10, MMP-11, MMP-12, and MMP-13).Some specific examples of MMP inhibitors useful in the present inventionare AG-3340, RO 32-3555, and RS 13-0830.

Modes of Administration

Described herein are compounds of formula I or a pharmaceuticallyacceptable salt, solvate, polymorph, ester, tautomer or prodrug thereof.Also described, are pharmaceutical compositions comprising a compound offormula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, polymorph,ester, tautomer or prodrug thereof. The compounds and compositionsdescribed herein may be administered either alone or in combination withpharmaceutically acceptable carriers, excipients or diluents, in apharmaceutical composition, according to standard pharmaceuticalpractice.

Administration of the compounds and compositions described herein can beeffected by any method that enables delivery of the compounds to thesite of action. These methods include oral routes, intraduodenal routes,parenteral injection (including intravenous, subcutaneous,intraperitoneal, intramuscular, intravascular or infusion), topical, andrectal administration. For example, compounds described herein can beadministered locally to the area in need of treatment. This may beachieved by, for example, but not limited to, local infusion duringsurgery, topical application, e.g., cream, ointment, injection,catheter, or implant, said implant made, e.g., out of a porous,non-porous, or gelatinous material, including membranes, such assialastic membranes, or fibers. The administration can also be by directinjection at the site (or former site) of a tumor or neoplastic orpre-neoplastic tissue. Those of ordinary skill in the art are familiarwith formulation and administration techniques that can be employed withthe compounds and methods of the invention, e.g., as discussed inGoodman and Gilman, The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, currented.; Pergamon; and Remington's, Pharmaceutical Sciences (currentedition), Mack Publishing Co., Easton, Pa.

The formulations include those suitable for oral, parenteral (includingsubcutaneous, intradermal, intramuscular, intravenous, intraarticular,and intramedullary), intraperitoneal, transmucosal, transdermal, rectaland topical (including dermal, buccal, sublingual and intraocular)administration although the most suitable route may depend upon forexample the condition and disorder of the recipient. The formulationsmay conveniently be presented in unit dosage form and may be prepared byany of the methods well known in the art of pharmacy. All methodsinclude the step of bringing into association a compound of the subjectinvention or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, ester, prodrug orsolvate thereof (“active ingredient”) with the carrier which constitutesone or more accessory ingredients. In general, the formulations areprepared by uniformly and intimately bringing into association theactive ingredient with liquid carriers or finely divided solid carriersor both and then, if necessary, shaping the product into the desiredformulation.

Formulations suitable for oral administration may be presented asdiscrete units such as capsules, cachets or tablets each containing apredetermined amount of the active ingredient; as a powder or granules;as a solution or a suspension in an aqueous liquid or a non-aqueousliquid; or as an oil-in-water liquid emulsion or a water-in-oil liquidemulsion. The active ingredient may also be presented as a bolus,electuary or paste.

Pharmaceutical preparations which can be used orally include tablets,push-fit capsules made of gelatin, as well as soft, sealed capsules madeof gelatin and a plasticizer, such as glycerol or sorbitol. Tablets maybe made by compression or molding, optionally with one or more accessoryingredients. Compressed tablets may be prepared by compressing in asuitable machine the active ingredient in a free-flowing form such as apowder or granules, optionally mixed with binders, inert diluents, orlubricating, surface active or dispersing agents. Molded tablets may bemade by molding in a suitable machine a mixture of the powdered compoundmoistened with an inert liquid diluent. The tablets may optionally becoated or scored and may be formulated so as to provide slow orcontrolled release of the active ingredient therein. All formulationsfor oral administration should be in dosages suitable for suchadministration. The push-fit capsules can contain the active ingredientsin admixture with filler such as lactose, binders such as starches,and/or lubricants such as talc or magnesium stearate and, optionally,stabilizers. In soft capsules, the active compounds may be dissolved orsuspended in suitable liquids, such as fatty oils, liquid paraffin, orliquid polyethylene glycols. In addition, stabilizers may be added.Dragee cores are provided with suitable coatings. For this purpose,concentrated sugar solutions may be used, which may optionally containgum arabic, talc, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, carbopol gel, polyethyleneglycol, and/or titanium dioxide, lacquer solutions, and suitable organicsolvents or solvent mixtures. Dyestuffs or pigments may be added to thetablets or Dragee coatings for identification or to characterizedifferent combinations of active compound doses.

Pharmaceutical preparations may be formulated for parenteraladministration by injection, e.g., by bolus injection or continuousinfusion. Formulations for injection may be presented in unit dosageform, e.g., in ampoules or in multi-dose containers, with an addedpreservative. The compositions may take such forms as suspensions,solutions or emulsions in oily or aqueous vehicles, and may containformulatory agents such as suspending, stabilizing and/or dispersingagents. The formulations may be presented in unit-dose or multi-dosecontainers, for example sealed ampoules and vials, and may be stored inpowder form or in a freeze-dried (lyophilized) condition requiring onlythe addition of the sterile liquid carrier, for example, saline orsterile pyrogen-free water, immediately prior to use. Extemporaneousinjection solutions and suspensions may be prepared from sterilepowders, granules and tablets of the kind previously described.

Formulations for parenteral administration include aqueous andnon-aqueous (oily) sterile injection solutions of the active compoundswhich may contain antioxidants, buffers, bacteriostats and solutes whichrender the formulation isotonic with the blood of the intendedrecipient; and aqueous and non-aqueous sterile suspensions which mayinclude suspending agents and thickening agents. Suitable lipophilicsolvents or vehicles include fatty oils such as sesame oil, or syntheticfatty acid esters, such as ethyl oleate or triglycerides, or liposomes.Aqueous injection suspensions may contain substances which increase theviscosity of the suspension, such as sodium carboxymethyl cellulose,sorbitol, or dextran. Optionally, the suspension may also containsuitable stabilizers or agents which increase the solubility of thecompounds to allow for the preparation of highly concentrated solutions.

Pharmaceutical preparations may also be formulated as a depotpreparation. Such long acting formulations may be administered byimplantation (for example subcutaneously or intramuscularly) or byintramuscular injection. Thus, for example, the compounds may beformulated with suitable polymeric or hydrophobic materials (for exampleas an emulsion in an acceptable oil) or ion exchange resins, or assparingly soluble derivatives, for example, as a sparingly soluble salt.

For buccal or sublingual administration, the compositions may take theform of tablets, lozenges, pastilles, or gels formulated in conventionalmanner. Such compositions may comprise the active ingredient in aflavored basis such as sucrose and acacia or tragacanth.

Pharmaceutical preparations may also be formulated in rectalcompositions such as suppositories or retention enemas, e.g., containingconventional suppository bases such as cocoa butter, polyethyleneglycol, or other glycerides.

Pharmaceutical preparations may be administered topically, that is bynon-systemic administration. This includes the application of a compoundof the present invention externally to the epidermis or the buccalcavity and the instillation of such a compound into the ear, eye andnose, such that the compound does not significantly enter the bloodstream. In contrast, systemic administration refers to oral,intravenous, intraperitoneal and intramuscular administration.

Pharmaceutical preparations suitable for topical administration includeliquid or semi-liquid preparations suitable for penetration through theskin to the site of inflammation such as gels, liniments, lotions,creams, ointments or pastes, and drops suitable for administration tothe eye, ear or nose. The active ingredient may comprise, for topicaladministration, from 0.001% to 10% w/w, for instance from 1% to 2% byweight of the formulation. It may however comprise as much as 10% w/wbut preferably will comprise less than 5% w/w, more preferably from 0.1%to 1% w/w of the formulation.

Pharmaceutical preparations for administration by inhalation areconveniently delivered from an insufflator, nebulizer pressurized packsor other convenient means of delivering an aerosol spray. Pressurizedpacks may comprise a suitable propellant such asdichlorodifluoromethane, trichlorofluoromethane,dichlorotetrafluoroethane, carbon dioxide or other suitable gas. In thecase of a pressurized aerosol, the dosage unit may be determined byproviding a valve to deliver a metered amount. Alternatively, foradministration by inhalation or insufflation, pharmaceuticalpreparations may take the form of a dry powder composition, for examplea powder mix of the compound and a suitable powder base such as lactoseor starch. The powder composition may be presented in unit dosage form,in for example, capsules, cartridges, gelatin or blister packs fromwhich the powder may be administered with the aid of an inhalator orinsufflator.

It should be understood that in addition to the ingredients particularlymentioned above, the compounds and compositions described herein mayinclude other agents conventional in the art having regard to the typeof formulation in question, for example those suitable for oraladministration may include flavoring agents.

Formulations

The compounds or compositions described herein can be delivered in avesicle, e.g., a liposome (see, for example, Langer, Science 1990, 249,1527-1533; Treat et al., Liposomes in the Therapy of Infectious Diseaseand Cancer, Lopez-Bernstein and Fidler, Ed., Liss, N.Y., pp. 353-365,1989). The compounds and pharmaceutical compositions described hereincan also be delivered in a controlled release system. In one embodiment,a pump may be used (see, Sefton, 1987, CRC Crit. Ref. Biomed. Eng.14:201; Buchwald et al. Surgery, 1980 88, 507; Saudek et al. N. Engl. J.Med. 1989, 321, (574). Additionally, a controlled release system can beplaced in proximity of the therapeutic target. (See, Goodson, MedicalApplications of Controlled Release, 1984, Vol. 2, pp. 115-138). Thepharmaceutical compositions described herein can also contain the activeingredient in a form suitable for oral use, for example, as tablets,troches, lozenges, aqueous or oily suspensions, dispersible powders orgranules, emulsions, hard or soft capsules, or syrups or elixirs.Compositions intended for oral use may be prepared according to anymethod known to the art for the manufacture of pharmaceuticalcompositions, and such compositions may contain one or more agentsselected from the group consisting of sweetening agents, flavoringagents, coloring agents and preserving agents in order to providepharmaceutically elegant and palatable preparations. Tablets contain theactive ingredient in admixture with non-toxic pharmaceuticallyacceptable excipients which are suitable for the manufacture of tablets.These excipients may be, for example, inert diluents, such as calciumcarbonate, sodium carbonate, lactose, calcium phosphate or sodiumphosphate; granulating and disintegrating agents, such asmicrocrystalline cellulose, sodium crosscarmellose, corn starch, oralginic acid; binding agents, for example starch, gelatin,polyvinyl-pyrrolidone or acacia, and lubricating agents, for example,magnesium stearate, stearic acid or talc. The tablets may be un-coatedor coated by known techniques to mask the taste of the drug or delaydisintegration and absorption in the gastrointestinal tract and therebyprovide a sustained action over a longer period. For example, a watersoluble taste masking material such as hydroxypropylmethyl-cellulose orhydroxypropylcellulose, or a time delay material such as ethylcellulose, or cellulose acetate butyrate may be employed as appropriate.Formulations for oral use may also be presented as hard gelatin capsuleswherein the active ingredient is mixed with an inert solid diluent, forexample, calcium carbonate, calcium phosphate or kaolin, or as softgelatin capsules wherein the active ingredient is mixed with watersoluble carrier such as polyethyleneglycol or an oil medium, for examplepeanut oil, liquid paraffin, or olive oil.

Aqueous suspensions contain the active material in admixture withexcipients suitable for the manufacture of aqueous suspensions. Suchexcipients are suspending agents, for example sodiumcarboxymethylcellulose, methylcellulose, hydroxypropylmethyl-cellulose,sodium alginate, polyvinyl-pyrrolidone, gum tragacanth and gum acacia;dispersing or wetting agents may be a naturally-occurring phosphatide,for example lecithin, or condensation products of an alkylene oxide withfatty acids, for example polyoxyethylene stearate, or condensationproducts of ethylene oxide with long chain aliphatic alcohols, forexample heptadecaethylene-oxycetanol, or condensation products ofethylene oxide with partial esters derived from fatty acids and ahexitol such as polyoxyethylene sorbitol monooleate, or condensationproducts of ethylene oxide with partial esters derived from fatty acidsand hexitol anhydrides, for example polyethylene sorbitan monooleate.The aqueous suspensions may also contain one or more preservatives, forexample ethyl, or n-propyl p-hydroxybenzoate, one or more coloringagents, one or more flavoring agents, and one or more sweetening agents,such as sucrose, saccharin or aspartame.

Oily suspensions may be formulated by suspending the active ingredientin a vegetable oil, for example arachis oil, olive oil, sesame oil orcoconut oil, or in mineral oil such as liquid paraffin. The oilysuspensions may contain a thickening agent, for example beeswax, hardparaffin or cetyl alcohol. Sweetening agents such as those set forthabove, and flavoring agents may be added to provide a palatable oralpreparation. These compositions may be preserved by the addition of ananti-oxidant such as butylated hydroxyanisol or alpha-tocopherol.

Dispersible powders and granules suitable for preparation of an aqueoussuspension by the addition of water provide the active ingredient inadmixture with a dispersing or wetting agent, suspending agent and oneor more preservatives. Suitable dispersing or wetting agents andsuspending agents are exemplified by those already mentioned above.Additional excipients, for example sweetening, flavoring and coloringagents, may also be present. These compositions may be preserved by theaddition of an anti-oxidant such as ascorbic acid.

Pharmaceutical compositions may also be in the form of an oil-in-wateremulsions. The oily phase may be a vegetable oil, for example olive oilor arachis oil, or a mineral oil, for example liquid paraffin ormixtures of these. Suitable emulsifying agents may benaturally-occurring phosphatides, for example soy bean lecithin, andesters or partial esters derived from fatty acids and hexitolanhydrides, for example sorbitan monooleate, and condensation productsof the said partial esters with ethylene oxide, for examplepolyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate. The emulsions may also containsweetening agents, flavoring agents, preservatives and antioxidants.

Syrups and elixirs may be formulated with sweetening agents, for exampleglycerol, propylene glycol, sorbitol or sucrose. Such formulations mayalso contain a demulcent, a preservative, flavoring and coloring agentsand antioxidant.

Pharmaceutical compositions may be in the form of a sterile injectableaqueous solution. Among the acceptable vehicles and solvents that may beemployed are water, Ringer's solution and isotonic sodium chloridesolution. The sterile injectable preparation may also be a sterileinjectable oil-in-water microemulsion where the active ingredient isdissolved in the oily phase. For example, the active ingredient may befirst dissolved in a mixture of soybean oil and lecithin. The oilsolution then introduced into a water and glycerol mixture and processedto form a microemulsion. The injectable solutions or microemulsions maybe introduced into a patient's blood-stream by local bolus injection.Alternatively, it may be advantageous to administer the solution ormicroemulsion in such a way as to maintain a constant circulatingconcentration of the instant compound. In order to maintain such aconstant concentration, a continuous intravenous delivery device may beutilized. An example of such a device is the Deltec CADD-PLUS™ model5400 intravenous pump. The pharmaceutical compositions may be in theform of a sterile injectable aqueous or oleagenous suspension forintramuscular and subcutaneous administration. This suspension may beformulated according to the known art using those suitable dispersing orwetting agents and suspending agents which have been mentioned above.The sterile injectable preparation may also be a sterile injectablesolution or suspension in a non-toxic parenterally-acceptable diluent orsolvent, for example as a solution in 1,3-butane diol. In addition,sterile, fixed oils are conventionally employed as a solvent orsuspending medium. For this purpose any bland fixed oil may be employedincluding synthetic mono- or diglycerides. In addition, fatty acids suchas oleic acid find use in the preparation of injectables.

Pharmaceutical compositions may also be administered in the form ofsuppositories for rectal administration of the drug. These compositionscan be prepared by mixing the inhibitors with a suitable non-irritatingexcipient which is solid at ordinary temperatures but liquid at therectal temperature and will therefore melt in the rectum to release thedrug. Such materials include cocoa butter, glycerinated gelatin,hydrogenated vegetable oils, mixtures of polyethylene glycols of variousmolecular weights and fatty acid esters of polyethylene glycol.

For topical use, creams, ointments, jellies, solutions or suspensions,etc., containing a compound or composition of the invention can be used.As used herein, topical application can include mouth washes andgargles.

Pharmaceutical compositions may be administered in intranasal form viatopical use of suitable intranasal vehicles and delivery devices, or viatransdermal routes, using those forms of transdermal skin patches wellknown to those of ordinary skill in the art. To be administered in theform of a transdermal delivery system, the dosage administration will,of course, be continuous rather than intermittent throughout the dosageregimen.

Doses

The amount of pharmaceutical compositions administered will firstly bedependent on the mammal being treated. In the instances wherepharmaceutical compositions are administered to a human subject, thedaily dosage will normally be determined by the prescribing physicianwith the dosage generally varying according to the age, sex, diet,weight, general health and response of the individual patient, theseverity of the patient's symptoms, the precise indication or conditionbeing treated, the severity of the indication or condition beingtreated, time of administration, route of administration, thedisposition of the composition, rate of excretion, drug combination, andthe discretion of the prescribing physician. Also, the route ofadministration may vary depending on the condition and its severity.Preferably, the pharmaceutical composition is in unit dosage form. Insuch form, the preparation is subdivided into unit doses containingappropriate quantities of the active component, e.g., an effectiveamount to achieve the desired purpose. Determination of the properdosage for a particular situation is within the skill of the art.Generally, treatment is initiated with smaller dosages which are lessthan the optimum dose of the compound. Thereafter, the dosage isincreased by small amounts until the optimum effect under thecircumstances is reached. For convenience, the total daily dosage may bedivided and administered in portions during the day if desired. Theamount and frequency of administration of the compounds describedherein, and if applicable other therapeutic agents and/or therapies,will be regulated according to the judgment of the attending clinician(physician) considering such factors as described above. Thus the amountof pharmaceutical composition to be administered may vary widely.Administration may occur in an amount of between about 0.001 mg/kg ofbody weight to about 100 mg/kg of body weight per day (administered insingle or divided doses), more preferably at least about 0.1 mg/kg ofbody weight per day. A particular therapeutic dosage can include, e.g.,from about 0.01 mg to about 7000 mg of compound, and preferablyincludes, e.g., from about 0.05 mg to about 2500 mg. The quantity ofactive compound in a unit dose of preparation may be varied or adjustedfrom about 0.1 mg to 1000 mg, preferably from about 1 mg to 300 mg, morepreferably 10 mg to 200 mg, according to the particular application. Insome instances, dosage levels below the lower limit of the aforesaidrange may be more than adequate, while in other cases still larger dosesmay be employed without causing any harmful side effect, e.g. bydividing such larger doses into several small doses for administrationthroughout the day. The amount administered will vary depending on theparticular IC₅₀ value of the compound used. In combinationalapplications in which the compound is not the sole therapy, it may bepossible to administer lesser amounts of compound and still havetherapeutic or prophylactic effect.

Dosage Forms

The pharmaceutical composition may, for example, be in a form suitablefor oral administration as a tablet, capsule, pill, powder, sustainedrelease formulations, solution, suspension, for parenteral injection asa sterile solution, suspension or emulsion, for topical administrationas an ointment or cream or for rectal administration as a suppository.The pharmaceutical composition may be in unit dosage forms suitable forsingle administration of precise dosages. The pharmaceutical compositionwill include a conventional pharmaceutical carrier or excipient and acompound according to the invention as an active ingredient. Inaddition, it may include other medicinal or pharmaceutical agents,carriers, adjuvants, etc.

Exemplary parenteral administration forms include solutions orsuspensions of active compounds in sterile aqueous solutions, forexample, aqueous propylene glycol or dextrose solutions. Such dosageforms can be suitably buffered, if desired.

Suitable pharmaceutical carriers include inert diluents or fillers,water and various organic solvents. The pharmaceutical compositions may,if desired, contain additional ingredients such as flavorings, binders,excipients and the like. Thus for oral administration, tabletscontaining various excipients, such as citric acid may be employedtogether with various disintegrants such as starch, alginic acid andcertain complex silicates and with binding agents such as sucrose,gelatin and acacia. Additionally, lubricating agents such as magnesiumstearate, sodium lauryl sulfate and talc are often useful for tabletingpurposes. Solid compositions of a similar type may also be employed insoft and hard filled gelatin capsules. Preferred materials, therefore,include lactose or milk sugar and high molecular weight polyethyleneglycols. When aqueous suspensions or elixirs are desired for oraladministration the active compound therein may be combined with varioussweetening or flavoring agents, coloring matters or dyes and, ifdesired, emulsifying agents or suspending agents, together with diluentssuch as water, ethanol, propylene glycol, glycerin, or combinationsthereof.

Methods of preparing various pharmaceutical compositions with a specificamount of active compound are known, or will be apparent, to thoseskilled in this art. For examples, see Remington's PharmaceuticalSciences, Mack Publishing Company, Ester, Pa., 18th Edition (1990).

Combination Therapies

The compounds described herein or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt,solvate, polymorph, ester, tautomer or prodrug thereof may beadministered as a sole therapy. The compounds described herein or apharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, polymorph, ester, tautomer orprodrug thereof may also be administered in combination with anothertherapy or therapies.

By way of example only, if one of the side effects experienced by apatient upon receiving one of the compounds described herein ishypertension, then it may be appropriate to administer ananti-hypertensive agent in combination with the compound. Or, by way ofexample only, the therapeutic effectiveness of one of the compoundsdescribed herein may be enhanced by administration of an adjuvant (i.e.,by itself the adjuvant may only have minimal therapeutic benefit, but incombination with another therapeutic agent, the overall therapeuticbenefit to the patient is enhanced). Or, by way of example only, thebenefit experienced by a patient may be increased by administering oneof the compounds described herein with another therapeutic agent (whichalso includes a therapeutic regimen) that also has therapeutic benefit.By way of example only, in a treatment for diabetes involvingadministration of one of the compounds described herein, increasedtherapeutic benefit may result by also providing the patient withanother therapeutic agent for diabetes. In any case, regardless of thedisease, disorder or condition being treated, the overall benefitexperienced by the patient may simply be additive of the two therapeuticagents or the patient may experience a synergistic benefit.

Other therapies include, but are not limited to administration of othertherapeutic agents, radiation therapy or both. In the instances wherethe compounds described herein are administered with other therapeuticagents, the compounds described herein need not be administered in thesame pharmaceutical composition as other therapeutic agents, and may,because of different physical and chemical characteristics, beadministered by a different route. For example, thecompounds/compositions may be administered orally to generate andmaintain good blood levels thereof, while the other therapeutic agentmay be administered intravenously. The determination of the mode ofadministration and the advisability of administration, where possible,in the same pharmaceutical composition, is well within the knowledge ofthe skilled clinician. The initial administration can be made accordingto established protocols known in the art, and then, based upon theobserved effects, the dosage, modes of administration and times ofadministration can be modified by the skilled clinician. The particularchoice of compound (and where appropriate, other therapeutic agentand/or radiation) will depend upon the diagnosis of the attendingphysicians and their judgment of the condition of the patient and theappropriate treatment protocol. Other therapeutic agents may includechemotherapeutic agents, such as anti-tumor substances, for examplethose selected from, mitotic inhibitors, for example vinblastine;alkylating agents, for example cis-platin, carboplatin andcyclophosphamide; anti-metabolites, for example 5-fluorouracil, cytosinearabinside and hydroxyurea, or, for example, one of the preferredanti-metabolites disclosed in European Patent Application No. 239362such asN-(5-[N-(3,4-dihydro-2-methyl-4-oxoquinazolin-6-ylmethyl)-N-methylamino]-2-thenoyl)-L-glutamicacid; growth factor inhibitors; cell cycle inhibitors; intercalatingantibiotics, for example adriamycin and bleomycin; enzymes, for example,interferon; and anti-hormones, for example anti-estrogens such asNolvadex™ (tamoxifen) or, for example anti-androgens such as Casodex™(4′-cyano-3-(4-fluorophenylsulphonyl)-2-hydroxy-2-methyl-3′-(trifluoromethyl)propionanilide).Such conjoint treatment may be achieved by way of the simultaneous,sequential or separate dosing of the individual components of treatment.

The compounds and compositions described herein (and where appropriatechemotherapeutic agent and/or radiation) may be administeredconcurrently (e.g., simultaneously, essentially simultaneously or withinthe same treatment protocol) or sequentially, depending upon the natureof the disease, the condition of the patient, and the actual choice ofchemotherapeutic agent and/or radiation to be administered inconjunction (i.e., within a single treatment protocol) with thecompound/composition.

In combinational applications and uses, the compound/composition and thechemotherapeutic agent and/or radiation need not be administeredsimultaneously or essentially simultaneously, and the initial order ofadministration of the compound/composition, and the chemotherapeuticagent and/or radiation, may not be important. Thus, thecompounds/compositions of the invention may be administered firstfollowed by the administration of the chemotherapeutic agent and/orradiation; or the chemotherapeutic agent and/or radiation may beadministered first followed by the administration of thecompounds/compositions of the invention. This alternate administrationmay be repeated during a single treatment protocol. The determination ofthe order of administration, and the number of repetitions ofadministration of each therapeutic agent during a treatment protocol, iswell within the knowledge of the skilled physician after evaluation ofthe disease being treated and the condition of the patient. For example,the chemotherapeutic agent and/or radiation may be administered first,especially if it is a cytotoxic agent, and then the treatment continuedwith the administration of the compounds/compositions of the inventionfollowed, where determined advantageous, by the administration of thechemotherapeutic agent and/or radiation, and so on until the treatmentprotocol is complete. Thus, in accordance with experience and knowledge,the practicing physician can modify each protocol for the administrationof a compound/composition for treatment according to the individualpatient's needs, as the treatment proceeds. The attending clinician, injudging whether treatment is effective at the dosage administered, willconsider the general well-being of the patient as well as more definitesigns such as relief of disease-related symptoms, inhibition of tumorgrowth, actual shrinkage of the tumor, or inhibition of metastasis. Sizeof the tumor can be measured by standard methods such as radiologicalstudies, e.g., CAT or MRI scan, and successive measurements can be usedto judge whether or not growth of the tumor has been retarded or evenreversed. Relief of disease-related symptoms such as pain, andimprovement in overall condition can also be used to help judgeeffectiveness of treatment.

Specific, non-limiting examples of possible combination therapiesinclude use of the compounds of the invention with agents found in thefollowing pharmacotherapeutic classifications as indicated below. Theselists should not be construed to be closed, but should instead serve asillustrative examples common to the relevant therapeutic area atpresent. Moreover, combination regimens may include a variety of routesof administration and should include oral, intravenous, intraocular,subcutaneous, dermal, and inhaled topical.

For the treatment of oncologic diseases, proliferative disorders, andcancers, compounds according to the present invention may beadministered with an agent selected from the group comprising: aromataseinhibitors, antiestrogen, anti-androgen, corticosteroids, gonadorelinagonists, topoisomerase 1 and 2 inhibitors, microtubule active agents,alkylating agents, nitrosoureas, antineoplastic antimetabolites,platinum containing compounds, lipid or protein kinase targeting agents,IMiDs, protein or lipid phosphatase targeting agents, anti-angiogenicagents, Akt inhibitors, IGF-I inhibitors, FGF3 modulators, mTORinhibitors, Smac mimetics, HDAC inhibitors, agents that induce celldifferentiation, bradykinin 1 receptor antagonists, angiotensin IIantagonists, cyclooxygenase inhibitors, heparanase inhibitors,lymphokine inhibitors, cytokine inhibitors, IKK inhibitors, P38MAPKinhibitors, HSP90 inhibitors, multikinase inhibitors, bisphosphanates,rapamycin derivatives, anti-apoptotic pathway inhibitors, apoptoticpathway agonists, PPAR agonists, inhibitors of Ras isoforms, telomeraseinhibitors, protease inhibitors, metalloproteinase inhibitors, andaminopeptidase inhibitors.

For the treatment of oncologic diseases, proliferative disorders, andcancers, compounds according to the present invention may beadministered with an agent selected from the group comprising:dacarbazine (DTIC), actinomycins C₂, C₃, D, and F₁, cyclophosphamide,melphalan, estramustine, maytansinol, rifamycin, streptovaricin,doxorubicin, daunorubicin, epirubicin, idarubicin, detorubicin,carminomycin, idarubicin, epirubicin, esorubicin, mitoxantrone,bleomycins A, A₂, and B, camptothecin, Irinotecan®, Topotecan®,9-aminocamptothecin, 10,11-methylenedioxycamptothecin,9-nitrocamptothecin, bortezomib, temozolomide, TAS103, NPI0052,combretastatin, combretastatin A-2, combretastatin A-4, calicheamicins,neocarcinostatins, epothilones A B, C, and semi-synthetic variants,Herceptin®, Rituxan®, CD40 antibodies, asparaginase, interleukins,interferons, leuprolide, and pegaspargase, 5-fluorouracil,fluorodeoxyuridine, ptorafur, 5′-deoxyfluorouridine, UFT, MITC, S-1capecitabine, diethylstilbestrol, tamoxifen, toremefine, tolmudex,thyrnitaq, flutamide, fluoxymesterone, bicalutamide, finasteride,estradiol, trioxifene, dexamethasone, leuproelin acetate, estramustine,droloxifene, medroxyprogesterone, megesterol acetate, aminoglutethimide,testolactone, testosterone, diethylstilbestrol, hydroxyprogesterone,mitomycins A, B and C, porfiromycin, cisplatin, carboplatin,oxaliplatin, tetraplatin, platinum-DACH, ormaplatin, thalidomide,lenalidomide, CI-973, telomestatin, CHIR258, Rad 001, SAHA, Tubacin,17-AAG, sorafenib, JM-216, podophyllotoxin, epipodophyllotoxin,etoposide, teniposide, Tarceva®, Iressa®, Imatinib®, Miltefosine®,Perifosine®, aminopterin, methotrexate, methopterin,dichloro-methotrexate, 6-mercaptopurine, thioguanine, azattuoprine,allopurinol, cladribine, fludarabine, pentostatin, 2-chloroadenosine,deoxycytidine, cytosine arabinoside, cytarabine, azacitidine,5-azacytosine, gencitabine, 5-azacytosine-arabinoside, vincristine,vinblastine, vinorelbine, leurosine, leurosidine and vindesine,paclitaxel, taxotere and docetaxel.

For the treatment of inflammatory diseases and pain, compounds accordingto the present invention may be administered with an agent selected fromthe group comprising: corticosteroids, non-steroidalanti-inflammatories, muscle relaxants and combinations thereof withother agents, anaesthetics and combinations thereof with other agents,expectorants and combinations thereof with other agents,antidepressants, anticonvulsants and combinations thereof;antihypertensives, opioids, topical cannabinoids, and other agents, suchas capsaicin.

For the treatment of inflammatory diseases and pain, compounds accordingto the present invention may be administered with an agent selected fromthe group comprising: betamethasone dipropionate (augmented andnonaugemnted), betamethasone valerate, clobetasol propionate,prednisone, methyl prednisolone, diflorasone diacetate, halobetasolpropionate, amcinonide, dexamethasone, dexosimethasone, fluocinoloneacetononide, fluocinonide, halocinonide, clocortalone pivalate,dexosimetasone, flurandrenalide, salicylates, ibuprofen, ketoprofen,etodolac, diclofenac, meclofenamate sodium, naproxen, piroxicam,celecoxib, cyclobenzaprine, baclofen, cyclobenzaprine/lidocaine,baclofen/cyclobenzaprine, cyclobenzaprine/lidocaine/ketoprofen,lidocaine, lidocaine/deoxy-D-glucose, prilocaine, EMLA Cream (EutecticMixture of Local Anesthetics (lidocaine 2.5% and prilocaine 2.5%),guaifenesin, guaifenesin/ketoprofen/cyclobenzaprine, amitryptiline,doxepin, desipramine, imipramine, amoxapine, clomipramine,nortriptyline, protriptyline, duloxetine, mirtazepine, nisoxetine,maprotiline, reboxetine, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, carbamazepine,felbamate, lamotrigine, topiramate, tiagabine, oxcarbazepine,carbamezipine, zonisamide, mexiletine, gabapentin/clonidine,gabapentin/carbamazepine, carbamazepine/cyclobenzaprine,antihypertensives including clonidine, codeine, loperamide, tramadol,morphine, fentanyl, oxycodone, hydrocodone, levorphanol, butorphanol,menthol, oil of wintergreen, camphor, eucalyptus oil, turpentine oil;CB1/CB2 ligands, acetaminophen, infliximab; n) nitric oxide synthaseinhibitors, particularly inhibitors of inducible nitric oxide synthase;and other agents, such as capsaicin.

For the treatment of ophthalmologic disorders and diseases of the eye,compounds according to the present invention may be administered with anagent selected from the group comprising: beta-blockers, carbonicanhydrase inhibitors, alpha.- and .beta.-adrenergic antagonistsincluding a1-adrenergic antagonists, .alpha.2 agonists, miotics,prostaglandin analogs, corticosteroids, and immunosuppressant agents.

For the treatment of ophthalmologic disorders and diseases of the eye,compounds according to the present invention may be administered with anagent selected from the group comprising: timolol, betaxolol,levobetaxolol, carteolol, levobunolol, propranolol, brinzolamide,dorzolamide, nipradilol, iopidine, brimonidine, pilocarpine,epinephrine, latanoprost, travoprost, bimatoprost, unoprostone,dexamethasone, prednisone, methylprednisolone, azathioprine,cyclosporine, and immunoglobulins.

For the treatment of autoimmune disorders, compounds according to thepresent invention may be administered with an agent selected from thegroup comprising: corticosteroids, immunosuppressants, prostaglandinanalogs and antimetabolites.

For the treatment of autoimmune disorders, compounds according to thepresent invention may be administered with an agent selected from thegroup comprising: dexamethasome, prednisone, methylprednisolone,azathioprine, cyclosporine, immunoglobulins, latanoprost, travoprost,bimatoprost, unoprostone, infliximab, rutuximab and methotrexate.

For the treatment of metabolic disorders, compounds according to thepresent invention may be administered with an agent selected from thegroup comprising: insulin, insulin derivatives and mimetics, insulinsecretagogues, insulin sensitizers, biguanide agents, alpha-glucosidaseinhibitors, insulinotropic sulfonylurea receptor ligands, proteintyrosine phosphatase-IB (PTP-1B) inhibitors, GSK3 (glycogen synthasekinase-3) inhibitors, GLP-1 (glucagon like peptide-1), GLP-1 analogs,DPPIV (dipeptidyl peptidase IV) inhibitors, RXR ligands sodium-dependentglucose co-transporter inhibitors, glycogen phosphorylase A inhibitors,an AGE breaker, PPAR modulators, and non-glitazone type PPARS agonist.

For the treatment of metabolic disorders, compounds according to thepresent invention may be administered with an agent selected from thegroup comprising: insulin, metformin, Glipizide, glyburide, Amaryl,meglitinides, nateglinide, repaglinide, PT-112, SB-517955, SB4195052,SB-216763, NN-57-05441, NN-57-05445, GW-0791, AGN-.sup.194.sup.204,T-1095, BAY R3401, acarbose Exendin-4, DPP728, LAF237, vildagliptin,MK-0431, saxagliptin, GSK23A, pioglitazone, rosiglitazone,(R)-1-{4-[5-methyl-2-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-oxazol-4-ylmethoxy]-benze-nesulfonyl}2,3-dihydro-1H-indole-2-carboxylicacid described in the patent application WO 03/043985, as compound 19 ofExample 4, and GI-262570.

Diseases

Described herein are methods of treating a disease in an individualsuffering from said disease comprising administering to said individualan effective amount of a composition comprising a compound of formula Ior a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, polymorph, ester,tautomer or prodrug thereof.

The invention also extends to the prophylaxis or treatment of anydisease or disorder in which MEK kinase plays a role including, withoutlimitation: oncologic, hematologic, inflammatory, ophthalmologic,neurological, immunologic, cardiovascular, and dermatologic diseases aswell as diseases caused by excessive or unregulated pro-inflammatorycytokine production including for example excessive or unregulated TNF,IL-1, IL-6 and IL-8 production in a human, or other mammal. Theinvention extends to such a use and to the use of the compounds for themanufacture of a medicament for treating such cytokine-mediated diseasesor disorders. Further, the invention extends to the administration to ahuman an effective amount of a MEK inhibitor for treating any suchdisease or disorder.

Diseases or disorders in which MEK kinase plays a role, either directlyor via pro-inflammatory cytokines including the cytokines TNF, IL-1,IL-6 and IL-8, include, without limitation: dry eye, glaucoma,autoimmune diseases, inflammatory diseases, destructive-bone disorders,proliferative disorders, neurodegenerative disorders, viral diseases,allergies, infectious diseases, heart attacks, angiogenic disorders,reperfusion/ischemia in stroke, vascular hyperplasia, organ hypoxia,cardiac hypertrophy, thrombin-induced platelet aggregation, andconditions associated with prostaglandin endoperoxidase synthetase-2(COX-2).

In certain aspects of the invention, the disease is a hyperproliferativecondition of the human or animal body, including, but not limited tocancer, hyperplasias, restenosis, inflammation, immune disorders,cardiac hypertrophy, atherosclerosis, pain, migraine,angiogenesis-related conditions or disorders, proliferation inducedafter medical conditions, including but not limited to surgery,angioplasty, or other conditions.

In further embodiments, said hyperproliferative condition is selectedfrom the group consisting of hematologic and nonhematologic cancers. Inyet further embodiments, said hematologic cancer is selected from thegroup consisting of multiple myeloma, leukemias, and lymphomas. In yetfurther embodiments, said leukemia is selected from the group consistingof acute and chronic leukemias. In yet further embodiments, said acuteleukemia is selected from the group consisting of acute lymphocyticleukemia (ALL) and acute nonlymphocytic leukemia (ANLL). In yet furtherembodiments, said chronic leukemia is selected from the group consistingof chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and chronic myelogenous leukemia(CML). In further embodiments, said lymphoma is selected from the groupconsisting of Hodgkin's lymphoma and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. In furtherembodiments, said hematologic cancer is multiple myeloma. In otherembodiments, said hematologic cancer is of low, intermediate, or highgrade. In other embodiments, said nonhematologic cancer is selected fromthe group consisting of: brain cancer, cancers of the head and neck,lung cancer, breast cancer, cancers of the reproductive system, cancersof the digestive system, pancreatic cancer, and cancers of the urinarysystem. In further embodiments, said cancer of the digestive system is acancer of the upper digestive tract or colorectal cancer. In furtherembodiments, said cancer of the urinary system is bladder cancer orrenal cell carcinoma. In further embodiments, said cancer of thereproductive system is prostate cancer.

Additional types of cancers which may be treated using the compounds andmethods described herein include: cancers of oral cavity and pharynx,cancers of the respiratory system, cancers of bones and joints, cancersof soft tissue, skin cancers, cancers of the genital system, cancers ofthe eye and orbit, cancers of the nervous system, cancers of thelymphatic system, and cancers of the endocrine system. In certainembodiments, these cancer s may be selected from the group consistingof: cancer of the tongue, mouth, pharynx, or other oral cavity;esophageal cancer, stomach cancer, or cancer of the small intestine;colon cancer or rectal, anal, or anorectal cancer; cancer of the liver,intrahepatic bile duct, gallbladder, pancreas, or other biliary ordigestive organs; laryngeal, bronchial, and other cancers of therespiratory organs; heart cancer, melanoma, basal cell carcinoma,squamous cell carcinoma, other non-epithelial skin cancer; uterine orcervical cancer; uterine corpus cancer; ovarian, vulvar, vaginal, orother female genital cancer; prostate, testicular, penile or other malegenital cancer; urinary bladder cancer; cancer of the kidney; renal,pelvic, or urethral cancer or other cancer of the genito-urinary organs;thyroid cancer or other endocrine cancer; chronic lymphocytic leukemia;and cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, both granulocytic and monocytic.

Yet other types of cancers which may be treated using the compounds andmethods described herein include: adenocarcinoma, angiosarcoma,astrocytoma, acoustic neuroma, anaplastic astrocytoma, basal cellcarcinoma, blastoglioma, chondrosarcoma, choriocarcinoma, chordoma,craniopharyngioma, cutaneous melanoma, cystadenocarcinoma,endotheliosarcoma, embryonal carcinoma, ependymoma, Ewing's tumor,epithelial carcinoma, fibrosarcoma, gastric cancer, genitourinary tractcancers, glioblastoma multiforme, hemangioblastoma, hepatocellularcarcinoma, hepatoma, Kaposi's sarcoma, large cell carcinoma,leiomyosarcoma, liposarcoma, lymphangiosarcoma,lymphangioendotheliosarcoma, medullary thyroid carcinoma,medulloblastoma, meningioma mesothelioma, myelomas, mykosarcomaneuroblastoma, neurofibrosarcoma, oligodendroglioma, osteogenic sarcoma,epithelial ovarian cancer, papillary carcinoma, papillaryadenocarcinomas, parathyroid tumors, pheochromocytoma, pinealoma,plasmacytomas, retinoblastoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, sebaceous glandcarcinoma, seminoma, skin cancers, melanoma, small cell lung carcinoma,squamous cell carcinoma, sweat gland carcinoma, synovioma, thyroidcancer, uveal melanoma, and Wilm's tumor.

Also described are methods for the treatment of a hyperproliferativedisorder in a mammal that comprise administering to said mammal atherapeutically effective amount of a compound of formula I, or apharmaceutically acceptable salt, ester, prodrug, solvate, hydrate orderivative thereof, in combination with an anti-tumor agent. In someembodiments, the anti-tumor agent is selected from the group consistingof mitotic inhibitors, alkylating agents, anti-metabolites,intercalating antibiotics, growth factor inhibitors, cell cycleinhibitors, enzyme inhibitors, topoisomerase inhibitors, biologicalresponse modifiers, anti-hormones, angiogenesis inhibitors, andanti-androgens.

The disease to be treated using the compounds, compositions and methodsdescribed herein may be a hematologic disorder. In certain embodiments,said hematologic disorder is selected from the group consisting ofsickle cell anemia, myelodysplastic disorders (MDS), andmyeloproliferative disorders. In further embodiments, saidmyeloproliferative disorder is selected from the group consisting ofpolycythemia vera, myelofibrosis and essential thrombocythemia.

The compounds, compositions and methods described herein may be usefulas anti-inflammatory agents with the additional benefit of havingsignificantly less harmful side effects. The compounds, compositions andmethods described herein are useful to treat arthritis, including butnot limited to rheumatoid arthritis, spondyloarthropathies, goutyarthritis, osteoarthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, juvenilearthritis, acute rheumatic arthritis, enteropathic arthritis,neuropathic arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and pyogenic arthritis. Thecompounds, compositions and methods described herein are also useful intreating osteoporosis and other related bone disorders. These compounds,compositions and methods described herein can also be used to treatgastrointestinal conditions such as reflux esophagitis, diarrhea,inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn's disease, gastritis, irritable bowelsyndrome and ulcerative colitis. The compounds, compositions and methodsdescribed herein may also be used in the treatment of pulmonaryinflammation, such as that associated with viral infections and cysticfibrosis. In addition, the compounds, compositions and methods describedherein are also useful in organ transplant patients either alone or incombination with conventional immunomodulators. Yet further, thecompounds, compositions and methods described herein are useful in thetreatment of pruritis and vitaligo. In particular, compounds,compositions and methods described herein are useful in treating theparticular inflammatory disease rheumatoid arthritis.

Further inflammatory diseases which may be prevented or treated include,without limitation: asthma, allergies, respiratory distress syndrome oracute or chronic pancreatitis. Furthermore, respiratory system diseasesmay be prevented or treated including but not limited to chronicobstructive pulmonary disease, and pulmonary fibrosis. In addition, MEKkinase inhibitors described herein are also associated withprostaglandin endoperoxidase synthetase-2 (COX-2) production.Pro-1-inflammatory mediators of the cyclooxygenase pathway derived fromarachidonic acid, such as prostaglandins, are produced by inducibleCOX-2 enzyme. Regulation of COX-2 would regulate these pro-inflammatorymediators, which affect a wide variety of cells and are important andcritical inflammatory mediators of a wide variety of disease states andconditions. In particular, these inflammatory mediators have beenimplicated in pain, such as in the sensitization of pain receptors, andedema. Accordingly, additional MEK kinase-mediated conditions which maybe prevented or treated include edema, analgesia, fever and pain such asneuromuscular pain, headache, dental pain, arthritis pain and paincaused by cancer.

Further, the disease to be treated by the compounds, compositions andmethods described herein may be an ophthalmologic disorder.Ophthalmologic diseases and other diseases in which angiogenesis plays arole in pathogenesis, may be treated or prevented and include, withoutlimitation, dry eye (including Sjogren's syndrome), maculardegeneration, closed and wide angle glaucoma, retinal gangliondegeneration, ocular ischemia, retinitis, retinopathies, uveitis, ocularphotophobia, and of inflammation and pain associated with acute injuryto the eye tissue. The compounds, compositions and methods describedherein can be used to treat glaucomatous retinopathy and/or diabeticretinopathy. The compounds, compositions and methods described hereincan also be used to treat post-operative inflammation or pain as fromophthalmic surgery such as cataract surgery and refractive surgery. Infurther embodiments, said ophthalmologic disorder is selected from thegroup consisting of dry eye, closed angle glaucoma and wide angleglaucoma.

Further, the disease to be treated by the compounds, compositions andmethods described herein may be an autoimmune disease. Autoimmunediseases which may be prevented or treated include, but are not limitedto: rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, inflammatory pain,ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, periodontal disease,temporomandibular joint disease, multiple sclerosis, diabetes,glomerulonephritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, scleroderma, chronicthyroiditis, Grave's disease, hemolytic anemia, autoimmune gastritis,autoimmune neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, chronic active hepatitis,myasthenia gravis, atopic dermatitis, graft vs. host disease, andpsoriasis. Inflammatory diseases which may be prevented or treatedinclude, but are not limited to: asthma, allergies, respiratory distresssyndrome or acute or chronic pancreatitis. In particular, compounds,compositions and methods described herein are useful in treating theparticular autoimmune diseases rheumatoid arthritis and multiplesclerosis.

Further, the disease to be treated by the compounds, compositions andmethods described herein may be a dermatologic disorder. In certainembodiments, said dermatologic disorder is selected from the groupincluding, without limitation, melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, squamouscell carcinoma, and other non-epithelial skin cancer as well aspsoriasis and persistent itch, and other diseases related to skin andskin structure, may be treated or prevented with MEK kinase inhibitorsof this invention.

Metabolic diseases which may be treated or prevented include, withoutlimitation, metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, and Type 1 and Type2 diabetes. In addition, the compositions described herein can be usedto treat insulin resistance and other metabolic disorders such asatherosclerosis that are typically associated with an exaggeratedinflammatory signaling.

The compounds, compositions and methods described herein are also usefulin treating tissue damage in such diseases as vascular diseases,migraine headaches, periarteritis nodosa, thyroiditis, aplastic anemia,Hodgkin's disease, sclerodoma, rheumatic fever, type I diabetes,neuromuscular junction disease including myasthenia gravis, white matterdisease including multiple sclerosis, sarcoidosis, nephritis, nephroticsyndrome, Behcet's syndrome, polymyositis, gingivitis, periodontis,hypersensitivity, swelling occurring after injury, ischemias includingmyocardial ischemia, cardiovascular ischemia, and ischemia secondary tocardiac arrest, and the like. The compounds, compositions and methodsdescribed herein can also be used to treat allergic rhinitis,respiratory distress syndrome, endotoxin shock syndrome, andatherosclerosis.

Further, the disease to be treated by the compounds, compositions andmethods described herein may be a cardiovascular condition. In certainembodiments, said cardiovascular condition is selected from the groupconsisting of atherosclerosis, cardiac hypertrophy, idiopathiccardiomyopathies, heart failure, angiogenesis-related conditions ordisorders, and proliferation induced after medical conditions,including, but not limited to restenosis resulting from surgery andangioplasty.

Further, the disease to be treated by the compounds, compositions andmethods described herein may be a neurological disorder. In certainembodiments, said neurologic disorder is selected from the groupconsisting of Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, Alzheimer'sdementia, and central nervous system damage resulting from stroke,ischemia and trauma. In other embodiments, said neurological disorder isselected from the group consisting of epilepsy, neuropathic pain,depression and bipolar disorders.

Further, the disease to be treated by the compounds, compositions andmethods described herein may cancer such as acute myeloid leukemia,thymus, brain, lung, squamous cell, skin, eye, retinoblastoma,intraocular melanoma, oral cavity and oropharyngeal, bladder, gastric,stomach, pancreatic, bladder, breast, cervical, head, neck, renal,kidney, liver, ovarian, prostate, colorectal, esophageal, testicular,gynecological, thyroid, CNS, PNS, AIDS related AIDS-Related (e.g.Lymphoma and Kaposi's Sarcoma) or Viral-Induced cancer. In someembodiments, the compounds and compositions are for the treatment of anon-cancerous hyperproliferative disorder such as benign hyperplasia ofthe skin (e.g., psoriasis), restenosis, or prostate (e.g., benignprostatic hypertrophy (BPH)).

Further, the disease to be treated by the compounds, compositions andmethods described herein may pancreatitis, kidney disease (includingproliferative glomerulonephritis and diabetes-induced renal disease),pain, a disease related to vasculogenesis or angiogenesis, tumorangiogenesis, chronic inflammatory disease such as rheumatoid arthritis,inflammatory bowel disease, atherosclerosis, skin diseases such aspsoriasis, eczema, and scleroderma, diabetes, diabetic retinopathy,retinopathy of prematurity, age-related macular degeneration,hemangioma, glioma, melanoma, Kaposi's sarcoma and ovarian, breast,lung, pancreatic, prostate, colon and epidermoid cancer in a mammal.

Further, the disease to be treated by the compounds, compositions andmethods described herein may the prevention of blastocyte implantationin a mammal.

Patients that can be treated with the compounds described herein, or apharmaceutically acceptable salt, ester, prodrug, solvate, hydrate orderivative of said compounds, according to the methods of this inventioninclude, for example, patients that have been diagnosed as havingpsoriasis; restenosis; atherosclerosis; BPH; breast cancer such as aductal carcinoma in duct tissue in a mammary gland, medullarycarcinomas, colloid carcinomas, tubular carcinomas, and inflammatorybreast cancer; ovarian cancer, including epithelial ovarian tumors suchas adenocarcinoma in the ovary and an adenocarcinoma that has migratedfrom the ovary into the abdominal cavity; uterine cancer; cervicalcancer such as adenocarcinoma in the cervix epithelial includingsquamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinomas; prostate cancer, such as aprostate cancer selected from the following: an adenocarcinoma or anadenocarcinoma that has migrated to the bone; pancreatic cancer such asepitheliod carcinoma in the pancreatic duct tissue and an adenocarcinomain a pancreatic duct; bladder cancer such as a transitional cellcarcinoma in urinary bladder, urothelial carcinomas (transitional cellcarcinomas), tumors in the urothelial cells that line the bladder,squamous cell carcinomas, adenocarcinomas, and small cell cancers;leukemia such as acute myeloid leukemia (AML), acute lymphocyticleukemia, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, chronic myeloid leukemia, hairycell leukemia, myelodysplasia, and myeloproliferative disorders; bonecancer; lung cancer such as non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), which isdivided into squamous cell carcinomas, adenocarcinomas, and large cellundifferentiated carcinomas, and small cell lung cancer; skin cancersuch as basal cell carcinoma, melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma andactinic keratosis, which is a skin condition that sometimes developsinto squamous cell carcinoma; eye retinoblastoma; cutaneous orintraocular (eye) melanoma; primary liver cancer (cancer that begins inthe liver); kidney cancer; thyroid cancer such as papillary, follicular,medullary and anaplastic; AIDS-related lymphoma such as diffuse largeB-cell lymphoma, B-cell immunoblastic lymphoma and small non-cleavedcell lymphoma; Kaposi's Sarcoma; viral-induced cancers includinghepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and hepatocellularcarcinoma; human lymphotropic virus-type 1 (HTLV-1) and adult T-cellleukemia/lymphoma; and human papilloma virus (HPV) and cervical cancer;central nervous system cancers (CNS) such as primary brain tumor, whichincludes gliomas (astrocytoma, anaplastic astrocytoma, or glioblastomamultiforme), Oligodendroglioma, Ependymoma, Meningioma, Lymphoma,Schwannoma, and Medulloblastoma; peripheral nervous system (PNS) cancerssuch as acoustic neuromas and malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor(MPNST) including neurofibromas and schwannomas, malignant fibrouscytoma, malignant fibrous histiocytoma, malignant meningioma, malignantmesothelioma, and malignant mixed Miillerian tumor; oral cavity andoropharyngeal cancer such as, hypopharyngeal cancer, laryngeal cancer,nasopharyngeal cancer, and oropharyngeal cancer; stomach cancer such aslymphomas, gastric stromal tumors, and carcinoid tumors; testicularcancer such as germ cell tumors (GCTs), which include seminomas andnonseminomas, and gonadal stromal tumors, which include Leydig celltumors and Sertoli cell tumors; thymus cancer such as to thymomas,thymic carcinomas, Hodgkin disease, non-Hodgkin lymphomas carcinoids orcarcinoid tumors; rectal cancer; and colon cancer.

Kits

The compounds, compositions and methods described herein provide kitsfor the treatment of disorders, such as the ones described herein. Thesekits comprise a compound, compounds or compositions described herein ina container and, optionally, instructions teaching the use of the kitaccording to the various methods and approaches described herein. Suchkits may also include information, such as scientific literaturereferences, package insert materials, clinical trial results, and/orsummaries of these and the like, which indicate or establish theactivities and/or advantages of the composition, and/or which describedosing, administration, side effects, drug interactions, or otherinformation useful to the health care provider. Such information may bebased on the results of various studies, for example, studies usingexperimental animals involving in vivo models and studies based on humanclinical trials. Kits described herein can be provided, marketed and/orpromoted to health providers, including physicians, nurses, pharmacists,formulary officials, and the like. Kits may also, in some embodiments,be marketed directly to the consumer.

The compounds described herein can be utilized for diagnostics and asresearch reagents. For example, the compounds described herein, eitheralone or in combination with other compounds, can be used as tools indifferential and/or combinatorial analyses to elucidate expressionpatterns of genes expressed within cells and tissues. As onenon-limiting example, expression patterns within cells or tissuestreated with one or more compounds are compared to control cells ortissues not treated with compounds and the patterns produced areanalyzed for differential levels of gene expression as they pertain, forexample, to disease association, signaling pathway, cellularlocalization, expression level, size, structure or function of the genesexamined. These analyses can be performed on stimulated or unstimulatedcells and in the presence or absence of other compounds which affectexpression patterns.

Besides being useful for human treatment, the compounds and formulationsof the present invention are also useful for veterinary treatment ofcompanion animals, exotic animals and farm animals, including mammals,rodents, and the like. More preferred animals include horses, dogs, andcats.

The examples and preparations provided below further illustrate andexemplify the compounds of the present invention and methods ofpreparing such compounds. It is to be understood that the scope of thepresent invention is not limited in any way by the scope of thefollowing examples and preparations. In the following examples moleculeswith a single chiral center, unless otherwise noted, exist as a racemicmixture. Those molecules with two or more chiral centers, unlessotherwise noted, exist as a racemic mixture of diastereomers. Singleenantiomers/diastereomers may be obtained by methods known to thoseskilled in the art.

EXAMPLES General Procedures for the Synthesis of Sulfonamides

Procedure A: To a solution of the amine (1 eq) in anhydrousdichloromethane (3 mL/mmole) was added anhydrous triethylamine (5 eq).To this solution was added the sulfonyl chloride (1 eq) and the solutionwas stirred at room temperature for 16 h. The solvent was evaporated andthe residue was purified by flash column chromatography on silica.Procedure B: To a stirred solution of the amine (1 eq) in anhydrouspyridine (5 ml/mmole) was added the sulfonyl chloride (1-5 eq). Thereaction mixture was stirred at 40° C. for 48 hours. The reactionmixture was partitioned with water and EtOAc. The organic layer waswashed with brine, dried (MGSO₄) and concentrated under reducedpressure. The residue was purified by flash column chromatography onsilica.Procedure C: Substitution of the iodo-atom:A suspension containing 1 eq. aryl iodide, 1.5 equiv. of the boronicacid or boronic ester, 0.25 eq. PdCl₂(dppf)×DCM and 10 eq. anhydrousK₂CO₃ powder in a deoxygenated mixture of dioxane and water (3:1) washeated in a microwave reactor for 60 min at 115° C. It was extractedusing aq. NH₄Cl/THF, and the organic fraction was dried using Na₂SO₄.The crude reaction products were purified using flash-columnchromatography (Si, EtOAc/Hexanes, or CHCl₃/MeOH). Yields: 20-40%.Procedure D: Synthesis ofN-(3,4-difluoro-2-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenylamino)phenyl)-2-(alkylamino)ethanesulfonamide:2-Chloro-ethanesulfonyl chloride (0.1 ml, 1 mmol) was added to asolution of 5,6-difluoro-N-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenyl)benzene-1,2-diamine(0.364 g, 1 mmol) and triethylamine (0.28 ml, 2 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (5 ml)and the reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 16 h. Thenit's treated with an excess amine (10 eq) either in solution or as aneat liquid. The reaction mixture stirred at room temperature foradditional 6 h. The reaction mixture diluted with CH₂Cl₂ (10 ml) andwater (10 ml). The organic layer was sequentially washed with dil. HCl(2×20 ml, 2N) and saturated NaHCO₃ (2×10 ml) solution. Then the CH₂Cl₂layer dried (MgSO₄) and evaporated to obtain the crude product. Theimpure product was purified under preparative HPLC conditions to obtainthe pure products in 50-60% yield.

Example 1N-(3,4-difluoro-2-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenylamino)phenyl)methanesulfonamideStep A: 2,3-Difluoro-N-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenyl)-6-nitroaniline

To a solution of 2-fluoro-4-iodoaniline (11.40 g, 47 mmol) in 100 mlanhydrous THF at 0° C., 47 ml of a 1M solution of LHMDS in THF (47 mmol)was added dropwise. The color of the solution turned dark purple. Thesolution was transferred via cannula to a dropping funnel, and thesolution (containing the amine free base) was added in small portions toa solution of 2,3,4-trifluoronitrobenzene (8.321 g, 47.0 mmol) inanhydrous THF (50 ml) at 0° C. After completion of addition the mixturewas stirred under argon at room temperature for 15 hours. The volume ofthe solvent was reduced, followed by extraction using ethyl acetate andbrine. The organic layer was dried over sodium sulfate, the solvent wasremoved, and the obtained dark oil was purified by flash chromatography(EtOAc/hexane 1:5, R_(f)=0.58) yielding the crude product, which becamea brown solid upon drying in vacuo (yield: 6.23 g, 33.6%): m/z=393[M−1]⁻.

Step B: 5,6-Difluoro-N1-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenyl)benzene-1,2-diamine

To a solution of nitro-diarylamine (6.23 g, 15.8 mmol) in 300 ml ethanolwas added iron powder (13.74 g, 246 mmol) and ammonium chloride (13.59g, 254 mmol) and the mixture was heated with stirring at 100° C. oilbath temperature for 14 hours. It was filtered and the residue washedtwo times with ethanol. The ethanol was removed in vacuo, and theresidue was extracted using ethyl acetate/1M NaOH solution. During theextraction, more precipitate was formed which was filtered anddiscarded. The combined organic layers were washed with brine and driedover sodium sulfate. The solvent was removed, and the crude product wasrecrystallized from CHCl₃/hexane (1:50). The product was obtained asbrown needles (2.094 g, 66%), R_(f)=0.44 (EtOAc/Hex 1:3), ¹H-NMR (500MHz, CDCl₃), δ=7.40-7.38 (dd, 1H, J=11.3 Hz, J=1.5 Hz), 7.25-7.23 (d,1H, J=8.5 Hz), 6.97-6.92 (q, 1H, J=9 Hz), 6.51-6.48 (m, 1H), 6.24-6.21(t, 1H, J=9 Hz), 5.3 (s, 1H, NH, br), 3.80 (s, 2H, NH₂, br), LRMS (ESI):m/z=365 [M+H]⁻.

Step C:N-(3,4-difluoro-2-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenylamino)phenyl)methanesulfonamide

According to the general procedure A,5,6-difluoro-N1-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenyl)benzene-1,2-diamine was reactedwith methanesulfonyl chloride to obtain the desired product. ¹H NMR:(500 MHz, CDCl₃): δ=7.38-7.37 (d, 1H), 7.35-7.34 (m, 1H), 7.27-7.26 (m,1H), 7.20-7.0 (q, 1H), 6.68 (s, 1H, br), 6.15-6.12 (q, 1H), 5.65 (s, 1H,br), 2.95 (s, 3H); m/z=441 [M−1]⁻.

Example 2N-3,4-difluoro-2-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenylamino)phenyl)cyclopropanesulfonamide

According to the general procedure A,5,6-difluoro-N1-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenyl)benzene-1,2-diamine was reactedwith cyclopropanesulfonyl chloride to obtain the desired product. ¹HNMR: (500 MHz, CDCl₃): δ=7.38-7.37 (d, 1H), 7.35-7.34 (m, 1H), 121-1 Id(m, 1H), 7.20-7.0 (q, 1H), 6.68 (s, 1H, br), 6.15-6.12 (q, 1H), 5.65 (s,1H, br), 3.25-3.20 (m, 1H), 2.4-2.3 (m, 2H), 2.0-1.8 (m, 2H); m/z=467[M−1]⁻.

Example 3N-(3,4-difluoro-2-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenylamino)phenyl)propane-2-sulfonamide

According to the general procedure A,5,6-difluoro-N1-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenyl)benzene-1,2-diamine was reactedwith isopropylsulfonyl chloride to obtain the desired product. Yield:39%. ¹H-NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃): δ=7.50-7.43 (m, 1H), 7.35-7.34 (m, 1H),7.27-7.26 (m, 1H), 7.15-7.09 (q, 1H, J=1.6 Hz), 6.62 (s, 1H, br),6.22-6.18 (q, 1H, J=1.5 Hz), 5.65 (s, 1H, br), 3.30-3.28 (m, 1H),1.38-1.37 (d, 6H, J=1.2 Hz); m/z=469 [M−I]⁻.

Example 4N-(3,4-difluoro-2-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenylamino)phenyl)butane-1-sulfonamide

According to the general procedure A,5,6-difluoro-N1-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenyl)benzene-1,2-diamine was reactedwith n-butylsulfonyl chloride to obtain the desired product. Yield: 55%.¹H-NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃): δ=7.50-7.43 (m, 1H), 7.35-7.34 (m, 1H),7.27-7.26 (m, 1H), 7.15-7.09 (q, 1H, J=1.6 Hz), 6.62 (s, 1H, br),6.22-6.18 (q, 1H, J=1.5 Hz)₅ 5.65 (s, 1H, br), 3.06-3.031 (t, 2H, J=1.4Hz), 1.75-1.71 (m, 2H), 1.38-1.36 (m, 2H), 0.87-0.86 (t, 3H, J=1.3 Hz);m/z=483 [M−1]⁻.

Example 5N-(3,4-difluoro-2-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenylamino)phenyl)-2,2,2-trifluoroethane sulfonamide

According to the general procedure A,5,6-difluoro-N1-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenyl)benzene-1,2-diamine was reactedwith 1,1,1-trifluoroethylsulfonyl chloride to obtain the desiredproduct. Yield: 28%; m/z=509 [M−1]⁻.

Example 6N-(3,4-difluoro-2-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenylamino)phenyl)butane-2-sulfonamide

According to the general procedure A,5,6-difluoro-N1-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenyl)benzene-1,2-diamine was reactedwith sec-butylsulfonyl chloride to obtain the desired product. Yield:22%. ¹H-NMR (500 MHz, MeOH[d4]): δ=7.60-7.40 (m, 3H), 7.18-7.00 (q, 1H),6.55-6.45 (m, 1H), 3.55-3.50 (m, 1H), 2.20-2.00 (m, 1H), 1.80-1.60 (m,1H), 1.43-1.40 (d, 3H), 1.06-1.04 (t, 3H); m/z=483 [M−1]⁻.

Example 7 N-(3,4-difluoro-2-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenylamino)phenyl)-N-methylcyclopropane sulfonamide

To a solution ofN-(3,4-difluoro-2-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenylamino)phenyl)cyclopropane-sulfonamide(see Example 2) (283.9 mg, 0.61 mmol) in 3 ml anhydrous THF was added at−78° C. a 1M solution of LHMDS (0.6 ml, 0.6 mol) and the solution wasstirred for 10 min at this temperature. Then, methyl iodide (0.8 ml,1.824 g, 12.9 mmol) was added and the mixture was warmed to roomtemperature and stirred for 7 h. The solvent was removed and the residueextracted using EtOAc and brine. The organic fractions were dried usingNa₂SO₄ and the solvent was removed. The obtained crude product waspurified using flash-column chromatography (Si, EtOAc/Hexanes 1:2,R_(f)=0.45). Yield: 205 mg, 70%). ¹H-NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃): δ=7.41-7.39(d, 1H, J=10 Hz), 7.30-7.29 (d, 1H, J=8.0 Hz), 7.23-7.20 (m, 1H),6.98-6.93 (q, 1H, J=8.5 Hz), 6.60 (s, 1H, br), 6.51-6.47 (m, 1H), 3.23(s, 3H), 2.46-2.42 (m, 1H), 1.19-1.16 (m, 2H), 1.04-1.02 (m, 2H);m/z=481 [M−1]⁻.

Example 81-Chloro-N-(3,4-difluoro-2-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenylamino)phenyl)methanesulfonamide

According to the general procedure A,5,6-difluoro-N1-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenyl)benzene-1,2-diamine was reactedwith chloromethanesulfonyl chloride to obtain the desired product,m/z=475 [M−1]⁻.

Example 9N-(3,4-difluoro-2-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenylaminophenyl)-2-methylpropane-2-sulfonamide

According to the general procedure B,5,6-difluoro-N1-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenyl)benzene-1,2-diamine was reactedwith 2-methylpropane-2-sulfonyl chloride (synthesized according to theliterature procedure) to obtain the desired product. ¹H NMR (300 MHz,CDCl₃): δ 7.50 (m, 1H), 7.43 (dd, J=1.8 & 10.5 Hz, 1H), 7.28 (br s, 1H),7.10 (dd, J=9.0 & 17.7 Hz, 1H), 6.48 (br s, D₂O exchangeable, 1H), 6.19(t, J=7.8 & 9.6 Hz, 1H), 5.58 (br s, D₂O exchangeable, 1H), 1.39 (s,9H); m/z=383 [M−1]⁻.

Example 10N-(3,4-difluoro-2-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenylamino)phenyl)cyclopentanesulfonamide

According to the general procedure B,5,6-difluoro-N1-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenyl)benzene-1,2-diamine was reactedwith cyclopentanesulfonyl chloride to obtain the desired product ¹H NMR(300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 7.42 (dd, J=2.1 & 10.5 Hz, 1H), 7.36 (ddd, J=2.4,4.8, & 9.3 Hz, 1H), 7.25 (m, 2H), 7.10 (dd, J=9.6 & 17.7 Hz, 1H), 6.67(br s, D₂O exchangeable, 1H), 6.20 (dt, J=1.5, 8.4 & 17.4 Hz, 1H), 3.53(p, 1H), 1.80 (m, 8H); m/z=495 [M−1]⁻.

Example 11N-(3,4-difluoro-2-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenylamino)phenyl)cyclohexanesulfonamide

According to the general procedure B,5,6-difluoro-N1-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenyl)benzene-1,2-diamine was reactedwith cyclohexanesulfonyl chloride to obtain the desired product. ¹H NMR(300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 7.43 (dd, J=1.5 & 10.2 Hz, 1H), 7.37 (ddd, J=2.4,4.8 & 9.6 Hz, 1H), 7.27 (m, 1H), 7.11 (dd, J=9.3 & 18.0 Hz, 1H), 6.64(br s, 1H), 6.18 (dt, J=1.5, 9.0 & 17.4 Hz, 1H), 5.63 (br s, 1H), 2.95(triplet of triplet, 2.10-1.16 (m, 10H); m/z=509 [M−1]⁻.

Example 12N-(3,4-difluoro-2-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenylaminophenyl)-t-methylcyclopropane-1-sulfonamideStep A: n-Butyl 3-chloro-1-propanesulfonate

Triethylamine (28 ml, 200 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (50 ml) was slowly added to anice-cooled solution of 3-chloro-1-propanesulfonyl chloride (36.6 g, 200mmol) and 1-butanol (18.4 g, 240 m mol) in CH₂Cl₂ (250 ml) and stirringwas continued for 16 h. The mixture was diluted with CH₂Cl₂ (200 ml),washed (aqueous HCl) and dried (MgSO₄) and the solvent was evaporated toobtain the titled product 1 (40.85 g, 95%) in crude form as slightlyyellow oil which was used for the next reaction without furtherpurification. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃)) δ 0.94 (t, J=7.5 Hz, 3H), 1.44 (sextet,2H), 1.72 (quintet, 2H), 2.31 (quintet, 2H), 3.27 (t, J=6.9 Hz, 2H),3.68 (t, J=6.3 Hz), 4.23 (t, J=6.6 Hz, 2H).

Step B: 1-Butyl cyclopropanesulfonate

Solutions of 1-butyl 3-chloro-1-propanesulfonate (4.6 g, 21.39 mmol in25 ml THF) and of butyllithium (14.7 ml, 23.53 mmol, 1.6M, THF) weresimultaneously added to THF (150 ml) at −78° C. under nitrogenatmosphere. The solution was allowed to warm to 0° C. and then quenchedwith water (2 ml). The volatiles evaporated under reduced pressure andthe residue extracted with CH₂Cl₂ (150 ml). The extract was washed withwater and dried (MgSO₄) and evaporated to give crude desired product(3.23 g, 78.22%) in almost pure form as pale yellow oil which was usedfor next step without further purification. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ0.94 (t, J=7.5 Hz, 3H), 1.07 (m, 2H), 1.25 (m, 2H), 1.45 (sextet, 2H),1.74 (quintet, 2H), 2.45 (heptet, 1H), 4.23 (t, J=6.6 Hz, 2H).

Step C: Butyl 1-Methyl-cyclopropanesulfonate

To a solution of 1-Butyl cyclopropanesulfonate (1 g, 5.58 mmol) in THF(15 ml) butyllithium solution (3.84 ml, 6.14 mmol, 1.6M, THF) was slowlyadded at −78° C. under nitrogen atmosphere. After 15 minutes MeI (0.72ml, 11.16 mmol) was added and the solution was allowed to warm to 0° C.and quenched with water (1 ml). The volatiles evaporated under reducedpressure and the residue extracted with CH₂Cl₂ (100 ml). The extract waswashed with water, dried (MgSO₄) and evaporated. The residue waspurified over silica gel chromatography (eluants: hexane/CH₂Cl₂) toobtain the titled product (0.59 g, 55.0%) as a colorless oil. ¹H NMR(300 MHz, CDCl₃)) δ 0.84 (m, 2H), 0.95 (t, J=7.2 Hz, 3H), 1.43 (m, 4H),1.53 (s, 3H), 1.74 (m, 2H), 4.21 ((t, J=6.6 Hz, 2H).

Step D: 1-Potassium 1-Methyl-cyclopropanesulfonate

A mixture of 1-Butyl 1-Methyl-cyclopropanesulfonate (0.386 g, 2 mmol)and potassium thiocyanate (0.194 g, 2 mmol) in DME (5 ml) and water (5ml) was refluxed for 16 h. The volatiles were evaporated to obtain thecrude sulfonate (0.348 g, quantitative) which was dried under vacuum at50° C. for 16 h. The crude product was used in the next reaction withoutfurther purification. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, D₂O) δ 0.56 (t, J=6.3 Hz, 2H),0.96 (t, J=6.3 Hz, 2H), 1.26 (s, 3H).

Step E: 1-Methyl-cyclopropanesulfonylchloride

A solution of 1-potassium 1-methyl-cyclopropanesulfonate (0.348 g, 2mmol), thionyl chloride (5 ml) and DMF (5 drops) was refluxed at 60° C.for 16 h. The volatiles evaporated under reduced pressure and theresidue extracted with CH₂Cl₂ (50 ml). The extract was washed withwater, dried (MgSO₄) and evaporated to obtain the crude product asyellow gummy oil which was used in the next reaction without furtherpurification.

Step F:N-(3,4-difluoro-2-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenylamino)phenyl)-1-methylcyclopropane-1-sulfonamide

According to the general procedure B,5,6-difluoro-N1-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenyl)benzene-1,2-diamine was reactedwith 1-methyl-cyclopropanesulfonylchloride to obtain the desiredproduct. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 7.42 (dd, J=1.8 & 10.5 Hz, 1H), 7.36(ddd, J=2.4, 4.5 & 9.0 Hz, 1H), 7.27 (d, J=6.0 Hz, 1H), 7.07 (dd, J=9.3& 17.7 Hz, 1H), 6.24 (dt, J=2.1, 8.7 & 17.4 Hz, 1H), 5.86 (br s, 1H),1.43 (s, 3H), 1.33 (t, J=5.4 Hz, 2H), 0.75 (dd, J=5.1 & 6.3 Hz, 2H);m/z=481 [M−1]⁻.

Example 13N-(3,4-difluoro-2-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenylamino)phenyl)-1-(2,3-dihydroxypropyl)cyclopropane-1-sulfonamideStep A: Butyl cyclopropanesulfonate

Cyclopropanesulfonyl chloride (5 g, 35 mmol, 1 eq) was dissolved in anexcess BuOH (20 ml), the reaction mixture was cooled at −10° C. andpyridine (5.8 mL, 70 mmol, 2 eq) was slowly added dropwise. The mixturewas slowly warmed at room temperature and stirred overnight. The solventwas removed under reduced pressure and the resulting white solid wasdissolved in CHCl₃. The organic phase was washed with water, brine anddried (MgSO₄) and concentrated to give an oil (4.8 g, 24.9 mmol, 71%).¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 4.25 (t, 2H), 2.46 (m, 1H), 1.74 (m, 2H),1.45 (m, 2H), 1.25 (dd, 2H), 1.09 (dd, 2H), 0.93 (t, 3H).

Step B: Butyl 1-allylcyclopropane-1-sulfonate

To a solution of 1-butyl cyclopropanesulfonate (4.8 g, 24.9 mmol) in THFat −78° C. was added simultaneously butyllithium solution (15.6 ml, 24.9mmol, 1.6M, THF) and allyl iodide (24.9 mmol) under nitrogen atmosphere.The reaction mixture was stirred 2 hours at −78° C. and 3 hours at roomtemperature. The volatiles were evaporated under reduced pressure andthe residue extracted with CH₂Cl₂ (100 ml). The extract was washed withwater, dried (MgSO₄) and evaporated. The residue was purified oversilica gel chromatography (eluants: hexane/CH₂Cl₂) to obtain the titledproduct (3.75 g, 69.0%) as a colorless oil. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ5.6 (m, 1H), 5.13-5.08 (t, 2H), 4.21 (t, 2H), 2.65 (d, 2H), 1.7 (m, 2H),1.4 (m, 4H), 0.93 (m, 5H).

Step C: Potassium 1-allylcyclopropane-1-sulfonate

A mixture of 1-butyl 1-methyl-cyclopropanesulfonate (3.75 g, 17.2 mmol)and potassium thiocyanate (1.7 g, 17.2 mmol) in DME (20 ml) and water(20 ml) was refluxed for 16 h. The volatiles were evaporated to obtainthe crude sulfonate (3.44 g, quantitative) which was dried under vacuumat 50° C. for 16 h. The crude product was used in the next reactionwithout further purification. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ 5.6 (m, 1H), 4.91-4.85(dd, 2H), 2.471-2.397 (d, 2H), 0.756 (m, 2H), 0.322 (m, 2H).

Step D: 1-allylcyclopropane-1-sulfonyl chloride

A solution of potassium 1-allylcyclopropane-1-sulfonate (3.44 g, 17.2mmol), thionyl chloride (10 ml) and DMF (5 drops) was refluxed at 60° C.for 16 h. The volatiles evaporated under reduced pressure and theresidue extracted with CH₂Cl₂ (50 ml). The extract was washed withwater, dried (MgSO₄) and evaporated to obtain the crude product asyellow gummy oil which was washed with hexane and used in the nextreaction without further purification (2.7 g, 15 mmol, 87%). ¹HNMR (300MHz, CDCl₃): δ 5.728 (m, 1H), 5.191 (t, 2H), 2.9 (d, 2H), 0.756 (m, 2H),0.322 (m, 2H).

Step E:1-allyl-N-(3,4-difluoro-2-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenylamino)phenyl)cyclopropane-1-sulfonamide

According to the general procedure B,5,6-difluoro-N1-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenyl)benzene-1,2-diamine was reactedwith 1-allylcyclopropane-1-sulfonyl chloride to obtain the desiredproduct. m/z=507 [M−1]⁻.

Step F:N-(3,4-difluoro-2-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenylamino)phenyl)-1-(2,3-dihydroxypropylcyclopropane-1-sulfonamide

1-Allyl-N-(3,4-difluoro-2-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenylamino)phenyl)cyclopropane-1-sulfonamide(0.77 g, 1.52 mmol) and 4-methylmorpholine N-oxide (0.18 g, 1.52 mmol)were dissolved in THF (50 mL). Osmium tetroxide was added at roomtemperature (0.152 mmol, 0.965 mL, 4% in H₂O) and the reaction mixturewas stirred at room temperature for 16 hours. EtOAc was added, theorganic phase was washed with water, dried (MgSO₄) and concentratedunder reduced pressure. The residue was purified over silica gelchromatography (eluants: EtOAc/MeOH) to obtain the titled product (0.65g, 79%). ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃+D₂O): δ 7.38 (dd, J=1.8 & 10.5 Hz, 1H),7.36 (ddd, J=2.4, 5.1 & 9.3 Hz, 1H), 7.25 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 1H), 7.02 (dd,J=9.0 & 17.7 Hz, 1H), 6.27 (dt, J=3.0, 8.7 & 17.4 Hz, 1H), 3.92 (m, 1H),3.54 (dd, J=3.9 & 11.1 Hz, 1H), 3.39 (dd, J=6.6 & 11.1 Hz, 1H), 2.16(dd, J=9.6 & 15.9 Hz, 1H), 1.59 (d, J=14.1 Hz, 1H), 1.41 (m, 1H), 1.26(m, 1H), 0.83 (m, 2H); m/z=542 [M−1]⁻.

Example 14(S)-N-(3,4-difluoro-2-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenylamino)phenyl)-1-(2,3-dihydroxypropyl)cyclopropane-1-sulfonamide

The pure S isomer was obtained by chiral HPLC separation of the racemicmixture (example 13). ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃+D₂O): δ 7.38 (dd, J=1.8 &10.5 Hz, 1H), 7.36 (ddd, J=2.4, 5.1 & 9.3 Hz, 1H), 7.25 (d, J=8.7 Hz,1H), 7.02 (dd, J=9.0 & 17.7 Hz, 1H), 6.27 (dt, J=3.0, 8.7 & 17.4 Hz,1H), 3.92 (m, 1H), 3.54 (dd, J=3.9 & 11.1 Hz, 1H), 3.39 (dd, J=6.6 &11.1 Hz, 1H), 2.16 (dd, J=9.6 & 15.9 Hz, 1H), 1.59 (d, J=14.1 Hz, 1H),1.41 (m, 1H), 1.26 (m, 1H), 0.83 (m, 2H); m/z=542 [M−1]⁻.

Example 15(R)-N-(3,4-difluoro-2-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenylamino)phenyl)-1-(2,3-dihydroxypropyl)cyclopropane-1-sulfonamide

The pure R isomer was obtained by chiral HPLC separation of the racemicmixture (example 13). ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃+D₂O): δ 7.38 (dd, J=1.8 &10.5 Hz, 1H), 7.36 (ddd, J=2.4, 5.1 & 9.3 Hz, 1H), 7.25 (d, J=8.7 Hz,1H), 7.02 (dd, J=9.0 & 17.7 Hz, 1H), 6.27 (dt, J=3.0, 8.7 & 17.4 Hz,1H), 3.92 (m, 1H), 3.54 (dd, J=3.9 & 11.1 Hz, 1H), 3.39 (dd, J=6.6& 11.1Hz, 1H), 2.16 (dd, J=9.6& 15.9 Hz, 1H), 1.59 (d, J=14.1 Hz, 1H), 1.41(m, 1H), 1.26 (m, 1H), 0.83 (m, 2H); m/z=542 [M−1]⁻.

Example 16N-(3,4-difluoro-2-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenylamino)phenyl)-1-(2-hydroxyethyl)cyclopropane-1-sulfonamideStep A: 2-d-bromocyclopropyl)ethanol

To a solution of neat diethyl zinc (3.3 ml, 3.977 g, 30 mmol) in 100 mlanhydrous DCM was added very slowly trifluoroacetic acid (2.31 ml,3.4188 g, 30 mmol) dropwise at 0° C. (Caution: Violent gas evolution,exothermic!). After completed addition of the TFA, the suspension wasstirred for 20 min at the same temperature, followed by the addition ofdiiodo methane (2.45 ml, 8.134 g, 30.4 mmol). It was further stirred at0° C. for 20 min, and then a solution of 3-bromobut-3-en-1-ol (1 ml,1.523 g, 10.1 mmol) in 10 ml DCM was added at the same temperature.After complete addition, the mixture was warmed to room temperature andstirred for 4 hours. The mixture was quenched with 100 ml MeOH and 40 mlbrine, and it was further stirred for 30 min. The solvents were reduced,and the residue extracted using CHCl₃/aq. NH₄Cl. The organic layers werecollected, washed with brine and water, and the solvent was removed togive 2-(1-bromocyclopropyl)-ethanol in sufficient purity (1.6564 g,100%). ¹H-NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃): δ=3.90-3.83 (t, 2H), 1.91-1.87 (t, 2H),1.71 (s, 1H, br), 1.14-1.09 (m, 2H), 0.83-0.79 (m, 2H).

Step B: TBS protected 2-(1-bromocyclopropyl)ethanol

To a solution of the cyclopropyl alcohol (Step A) (1.303 g, 7.95 mmol)in 30 ml anhydrous DCM was added anhydrous pyridine (1.2 ml, 1.1736 g,14.8 mmol) and TBSOTf (2.7 ml, 3.1077 g, 11.76 mol) and the solution wasstirred at room temperature for 16 h. It was extracted with CHCl₃/brineand the organic fraction was dried with MgSO₄. The solvent was reducedand the crude product purified using flash-column chromatography (Si,CHCl₃/hexanes 1:10, R_(f)=0.4). Yield: 0.796 g, 36%. ¹H-NMR (500 MHz,CDCl₃): δ=3.95-3.75 (t, 2H), 1.95-1.85 (t, 2H), 1.15-1.05 (m, 2H),0.95-0.80 (m, HH), 0.15-0.05 (s, 6H).

Step C: TBS protected 2-(1-chlorosulfonylcyclopropyl)ethanol

To a solution of the cyclopropyl bromide prepared in step B (1.1227 g,4.04 mmol) in 15 ml anhydrous diethyl ether was added a 1.7 M solutionof t-BuLi in pentane (4.8 ml, 8.16 mmol) at −78° C. The solution wasstirred for 30 min at this temperature, and was then transferred via atransfer canola into a solution of freshly distilled sulfuryl chloride(0.65 ml, 1.029 g, 8.1 mmol) in 8 ml diethyl ether at −78° C. The yellowsuspension was warmed to room temperature. The solvent was removed, andthe residue was dried in vacuo to remove excessive sulfuryl chloride.Then, the residue was extracted two times with hexane, and afterfiltration the solvent was evaporated in vacuo to give the sulfonylchloride in sufficient purity as a colorless oil. Yield: 870 mg (72%).¹H-NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ=3.95-3.85 (t, 2H), 2.35-2.25 (t, 2H),1.80-1.70 (m, 2H), 1.45-1.38 (m, 2H), 0.90 (s, 9H), 0.10 (s, 6H).

Step D: TBS-protectedN-(3,4-difluoro-2-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenylamino)phenyl)-1-(2-hydroxyethyl)cyclopropane1-sulfonamide

According to the general procedure B,5,6-difluoro-N1-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenyl)benzene-1,2-diamine was reactedwith the cyclopropylsulfonyl chloride prepared in step C to obtain thedesired product. ¹H-NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ=7.44-7.39 (dd, 1H),7.32-7.24 (m, 2H), 7.1-6.98 (q, 1H), 6.34-6.24 (m, 1H), 6.16 (s, 1H,br), 3.85-3.75 (t, 2H), 2.15-2.00 (t, 2H), 1.35-1.20 (m, 2H), 0.95-0.75(m, 11H), 0.10 (s, 6H); m/z=625 [M−1]⁻.

Step E:N-(3,4-difluoro-2-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenylamino)phenyl)-1-(2-hydroxyethyl)cyclopropane-1-sulfonamide

To a solution of the TBS-protected sulfonamide prepared in step D (21mg, 0.033 mmol) in 1 ml THF was added 0.1 ml aq. 1.2N HCl solution at 0°C. and the solution was stirred for 2 h. The solvents were reduced andthe residue was extracted using aq. NaHCO₃ solution and EtOAc. Theorganic fractions were dried with MgSO₄ and the volatiles were removed.The crude product was purified using flash-column chromatography (Si,CHCl₃/MeOH 10:1, R_(f)=0.45) to give the pure product. Yield: 16.9 mg(100%). ¹H-NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ=7.44-7.39 (dd, 1H), 7.32-7.24 (m,2H), 7.1-6.98 (q, 1H), 6.34-6.24 (m, 1H), 6.16 (s, 1H, br), 3.85-3.75(t, 2H), 2.15-2.00 (t, 2H), 1.35-1.20 (m, 2H), 0.95-0.85 (m, 2H);m/z=511 [M−1]⁻.

Example 17N-(3,4-difluoro-2-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenylamino)phenyl)-3-hydroxypropane-1-sulfonamide

To a solution of3-chloro-N-(3,4-difluoro-2-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenylamino)phenyl)-propane-1-sulfonamide(69.4 mg, 0.138 mmol) in a mixture of 8 ml 1,4-dioxane and 2 ml H₂O wasadded KOH powder (0.674 g, 12.0 mmol) and the mixture was heated to thereflux temperature for 3 days. It was extracted using EtOAc/brine, theorganic fraction was dried with Na₂SO₄ and the volatiles were removed.The residue was purified using flash-column chromatography (Si, DCM/MeOH5:1, R_(f)=0.3). Yield: 41 mg (62%). ¹H-NMR (500 MHz, MeOH [d4]):δ=7.38-7.21 (d, 1H), 7.23-7.21 (d, 1H), 7.06-7.00 (q, 1H), 6.52-6.50 (m,1H), 6.17-6.13 (t, 1H), 3.30-3.27 (t, 2H), 2.86-2.83 (t, 2H), 2.05-2.00(m, 2H); m/z=485 [M−1]⁻.

Example 18N-(3,4-difluoro-2-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenylamino)phenyl)-2-methyl-5-(trifluoromethyl)furan-3-sulfonamide

According to the general procedure B,5,6-difluoro-N1-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenyl)benzene-1,2-diamine (0.182 mmol)was reacted with 2-methyl-5-(trifluoromethyl)furan-3-sulfonyl chloride(0.5 mmol) to formN-(3,4-difluoro-2-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenylamino)phenyl)-2-methyl-5-(trifluoromethyl)furan-3-sulfonamide.¹H NMR (CDCl₃) δ 2.2 (s, 3H), 5.3 (s, 1H), 6.0 (dt, 1H), 6.8 (s, 1H),6.95 (s, 1H), 7.0-7.3 (m, 3H), 7.4 (dd, 1H).

Example 19N-(5-(N-(3,4-difluoro-2-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenylamino)phenyl)sulfamoyl)-methylthiazol-2-yl)acetamide

According to the general procedure B,5,6-difluoro-N1-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenyl)benzene-1,2-diamine (0.182 mmol)was reacted with 2-acetamido-4-methylthiazole-5-sulfonyl chloride (0.5mmol) to obtainN-(5-(N-(3,4-difluoro-2-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenylamino)phenyl)sulfamoyl)-4-methylthiazol-2-yl)acetamide.¹H NMR (CDCl₃)) δ 2.1 (s, 3H), 2.2 (s, 3H), 5.9 (dt, 1H), 6.05 (s, 1H),7.0-7.6 (m, 3H), 7.4 (dd, 1H), 8.0 (s, 1H).

Example 205-(5-Chloro-1,2,4-thiadiazol-3-yl)-N-(3,4-difluoro-2-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenylamino)phenyl)thiophene-2-sulfonamide

According to the general procedure B,5,6-difluoro-N1-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenyl)benzene-1,2-diamine (0.182 mmol)was reacted with 5-(5-chloro-1,2,4-thiadiazol-3-yl)thiophene-2-sulfonylchloride (0.5 mmol) to obtain5-(5-chloro-1,2,4-thiadiazol-3-yl)-N-(3,4-difluoro-2-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenylamino)phenyl)thiophene-2-sulfonamide.¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃)) δ 5.8 (dt, 1H), 5.95 (s, 1H), 6.95 (d, 1H), 7.4(m, 2H), 7.6 (d, 1H), 7.8 (s, 1H).

Example 21N-(3,4-difluoro-2-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenylamino)phenyl)-3,5-dimethylisoxazole-4-sulfonamide

According to the general procedure B,5,6-difluoro-N1-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenyl)benzene-1,2-diamine (0.182 mmol)was reacted with 3,5-dimethylisoxazole-4-sulfonyl chloride (0.5 mmol) toobtain N-(3,4-difluoro-2-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenyl amino)phenyl)3,5-dimethylisoxazole-4-sulfonamide. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃)) δ 2.2 (s,3H), 2.4 (s, 3H), 5.8 (s, 1H), 6.0 (dt, 1H), 5.95 (s, 1H), 6.9 (s, 1H),7.0 (q, 1H), 7.2 (m, 3H), 7.4 (dd, 1H).

Example 225-Chloro-N-(3,4-difluoro-2-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenylamino)phenyl)-1,3-dimethyl-1H-pyrazole-4-sulfonamide

According to the general procedure B,5,6-difluoro-N1-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenyl)benzene-1,2-diamine (0.182 mmol)was reacted with 5-chloro-1,3-dimethyl-1H-pyrazole-4-sulfonyl chloride(0.5 mmol) to obtain5-chloro-N-(3,4-difluoro-2-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenylamino)phenyl)-1,3-dimethyl-1H-pyrazole-4-sulfonamide.¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃)) δ 2.1 (s, 3H), 3.6 (s, 3H), 5.8 (s, 1H), 5.95(dt, 1H), 7.0 (q, 1H), 7.2 (d, 1H), 7.3 (m, 2H), 7.4 (dd, 1H).

Example 23N-(3,4-difluoro-2-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenylamino)phenyl)-2,5-dimethylfuran-3-sulfonamide

According to the general procedure B,5,6-difluoro-N1-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenyl)benzene-1,2-diamine (0.182 mmol)was reacted with 2,5-dimethylfuran-3-sulfonyl chloride (0.5 mmol) toobtainN-(3,4-difluoro-2-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenylamino)phenyl)-2,5-dimethylfuran-3-sulfonamide.¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃)) δ 2.2 (s, 3H), 2.3 (s, 3H), 5.8 (s, 1H), 6.0(dt, 1H), 6.8 (s, 1H), 7.0 (q, 1H), 7.2 (d, 1H), 7.3 (m, 2H), 7.4 (dd,1H).

Example 24N-(3,4-difluoro-2-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenylamino)phenyl)-1-methyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazole-4-sulfonamide

According to the general procedure B,5,6-difluoro-N1-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenyl)benzene-1,2-diamine (0.182 mmol)was reacted with 1-methyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazole-4-sulfonylchloride (0.5 mmol) to obtainN-(3,4-difluoro-2-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenylamino)phenyl)-1-methyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazole-4-sulfonamide.¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃)) δ 3.8 (s, 3H), 5.7 (s, 1H), 6.0 (dt, 1H), 7.0(q, 1H), 7.2 (m, 2H), 7.4 (dd, 1H), 7.8 (s, 1H).

Example 25N-(3,4-difluoro-2-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenylaminophenyl)-2,4-dimethylthiazole-5-sulfonamide

According to the general procedure B,5,6-difluoro-N1-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenyl)benzene-1,2-diamine (0.182 mmol)was reacted with 2,4-dimethylthiazole-5-sulfonyl chloride (0.5 mmol) toobtainN-(3,4-difluoro-2-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenylamino)phenyl)-2,4-dimethylthiazole-5-sulfonamide.¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃)) δ 2.3 (s, 3H), 2.6 (s, 3H), 5.7 (s, 1H), 5.9(dt, 1H), 7.1 (q, 1H), 7.2 (d, 1H), 7.3 (m, 1H), 7.4 (d, 1H), 7.4 (s,1H).

Example 26N-(3,4-difluoro-2-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenylamino)phenyl)-1,2-dimethyl-1H-imidazole-4-sulfonamide

According to the general procedure B,5,6-difluoro-N1-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenyl)benzene-1,2-diamine was reactedwith 1,2-dimethyl-1H-imidazole-4-sulfonyl chloride to obtain the titlecompound. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 7.95 (br s, 1H), 7.37 (dd, J=1.8 &10.8 Hz, 1H), 7.32-7.14 (m, 3H), 6.98 (dd, J=9.6 & 17.7 Hz, 1H), 5.87(dt, J=4.2, 9.0 & 17.4 Hz, 1H), 5.55 (br s, 1H), 3.49 (s, 3H), 2.31 (s,3H).

Example 27N-(3,4-difluoro-2-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenylamino)phenyl)thiophene-3-sulfonamide

According to the general procedure B,5,6-difluoro-N1-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenyl)benzene-1,2-diamine was reactedwith thiophene-3-sulfonyl chloride to obtain the title compound. ¹H NMR(300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 8.00 (dd, J=1.2 & 3.3 Hz, 1H), 7.45 (dd, J=0.9 & 5.1Hz, 1H), 7.35 (m, 2H), 7.27 (m, 2H), 6.91 (dd, J=9.3 & 17.1 Hz, 1H),6.64 (ddd, J=2.1, 4.8 & 8.7 Hz, 1H), 6.34 (dt, J=5.4, 8.7 & 14.1 Hz,1H), 5.98 (br d, J=2.1 Hz, D₂O exchangeable, 1H).

Example 28N-(3,4-difluoro-2-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenylaminophenyl)furan-2-sulfonamide

According to the general procedure B,5,6-difluoro-N1-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenyl)benzene-1,2-diamine was reactedwith furan-2-sulfonyl chloride to obtain the title compound. ¹H NMR (300MHz, CDCl₃): δ 7.53 (br s, D₂O exchangeable, 1H), 7.38 (dd, J=1.8 & 10.5Hz, 1H), 7.30 (d, J=8.4 Hz, 1H), 7.21 (d, J=3.0 Hz, 1H), 6.96 (dd, J=8.7& 16.5 Hz, 1H), 6.87 (ddd, J=1.8, 5.1 & 9.0 Hz, 1H), 6.53 (dd, J=1.8 &3.6 Hz, 1H), 6.44 (dt, J=5.1, 8.7 & 13.8 Hz, 1H), 6.22 (br s, D₂Oexchangeable, 1H).

Example 29N-(3,4-difluoro-2-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenylamino)phenyl)-5-methylthiophene-2-sulfonamide

According to the general procedure B,5,6-difluoro-N1-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenyl)benzene-1,2-diamine was reactedwith 5-methylthiophene-2-sulfonyl chloride to obtain the title compound.¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 7.34 (dd, J=0.9 & 10.2 Hz, 1H), 7.30 (ddd,J=2.1, 4.8 & 9.0 Hz, 1H), 7.25 (d, J=3.9 Hz, 1H), 7.07 (m, 2H), 6.65(dd, J=1.2 & 3.9 Hz, 1H), 5.89 (dt, J=2.4, 8.7 & 17.4 Hz, 1H), 5.54 (brs, D₂O exchangeable, 1H), 2.46 (s, 3H).

Example 305-Chloro-N-(3,4-difluoro-2-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenylamino)phenyl)thiophene-2-sulfonamide

According to the general procedure B,5,6-difluoro-N1-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenyl)benzene 1,2-diamine was reactedwith 5-chlorothiophene-2-sulfonyl chloride to obtain the title compound.¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 7.38 (dd, J=1.5 & 10.2 Hz, 1H), 7.32 (ddd,J=2.1, 5.1 & 9.3 Hz, 1H), 7.25 (d, J=3.9 Hz, 1H), 7.10 (dd, J=9.0 & 18.6Hz, 3H), 6.84 (d, J=4.2 Hz, 1H), 5.86 (dt, J=1.8, 8.7 & 17.4 Hz, 1H),5.49 (br s, D₂O exchangeable, 1H).

Example 315-Bromo-N-(3,4-difluoro-2-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenylamino)phenyl)thiophene-2-sulfonamide

According to the general procedure B,5,6-difluoro-N1-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenyl)benzene 1,2-diamine was reactedwith 5-bromothiophene-2-sulfonyl chloride to obtain the title compound.¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 7.39-7.29 (m, 2H), 7.20-7.05 (m, 3H), 6.96(d, J=3.6 Hz, 1H), 5.85 (dt, J=2.1, 9.0 & 17.4 Hz, 1H), 5.54 (br s, 1H).

Example 324-Bromo-N-(3,4-difluoro-2-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenylamino)phenyl)thiophene-3-sulfonamide

According to the general procedure B,5,6-difluoro-N1-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenyl)benzene 1,2-diamine was reactedwith 4-bromothiophene-3-sulfonyl chloride to obtain the title compound.¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 7.48 (br m, 2H), 7.39 (dd, J=1.8 & 10.5 Hz,1H), 7.28 (ddd, J=2.4, 4.8 & 9.0 Hz, 1H), 7.17 (d, J=8.4 Hz, 1H), 7.02(m, 1H), 6.02 (dt, J=2.4, 8.7 & 17.4 Hz, 1H), 5.68 (br s, 1H).

Example 334-Bromo-5-chloro-N-(3,4-difluoro-2-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenylamino)phenyl)thiophene-2-sulfonamide

According to the general procedure B,5,6-difluoro-N1-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenyl)benzene 1,2-diamine was reactedwith 4-bromo-5-chlorothiophene-2-sulfonyl chloride to obtain the titlecompound. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 7.42-7.34 (m, 2H), 7.25 (br m, 3H),7.13 (dd, J=9.0 & 17.1 Hz, 1H), 6.02 (dt, J=2.4, 6.6 & 17.4 Hz, 1H),5.52 (br s, 1H).

Example 343-Bromo-5-chloro-N-(3,4-difluoro-2-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenylamino)phenyl)thiophene-2-sulfonamide

According to the general procedure B,5,6-difluoro-N1-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenyl)benzene 1,2-diamine was reactedwith 3-bromo-5-chlorothiophene-2-sulfonyl chloride to obtain the titlecompound. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 7.41 (dd, J=2.1 & 10.5 Hz, 1H),7.35 (br m, 2H), 7.31 (dd, J=2.1 & 4.2 Hz, 1H), 7.19 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 1H),7.08 (dd, J=9.0 & 17.4 Hz, 1H), 6.02 (dt, J=2.1, 8.4 & 17.1 Hz, 1H),5.59 (br s, 1H).

Example 35N-(3,4-difluoro-2-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenylamino)phenyl)-2,5-dimethylthiophene-3-sulfonamide

According to the general procedure B,5,6-difluoro-N1-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenyl)benzene 1,2-diamine was reactedwith 2,5-dimethylthiophene-3-sulfonyl chloride to obtain the titlecompound. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 7.39 (dd, J=1.8 & 10.2 Hz, 1H),7.24-7.16 (br m, 2H), 7.13 (dd, J=9.0 & 17.4 Hz, 1H), 6.77 (d, J=9.6 Hz,1H), 5.98 (dt, J=2.4, 8.7 & 17.4 Hz, 1H), 5.55 (br s, 1H), 2.33 (s, 6H).

Example 362,5-Dichloro-N-(3,4-difluoro-2-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenylamino)phenyl)thiophene-3-sulfonamide

According to the general procedure B,5,6-difluoro-N1-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenyl)benzene 1,2-diamine was reactedwith 2,5-dichlorothiophene-3-sulfonyl chloride to obtain the titlecompound. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 7.41 (dd, J=1.5 & 10.5 Hz, 1H),7.28-7.20 (m, 2H), 7.08 (dd, J=9.0 & 17.4 Hz, 2H), 6.99 (s, 1H), 6.03(dt, J=2.1, 8.7 & 17.4 Hz, 1H), 5.56 (br s, 1H).

Example 37 Methyl3-(N-(3,4-difluoro-2-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenylamino)phenyl)sulfamoyl)thiophene-2-carboxylate

According to the general procedure B,5,6-difluoro-N1-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenyl)benzene 1,2-diamine was reactedwith methyl 3-(chlorosulfonyl)thiophene-2-carboxylate to obtain thetitle compound. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 8.58 (s, 1H), 7.43 (dd, J=5.1& 10.8 Hz, 2H), 7.35 (dd, J=1.8 & 10.2 Hz, 1H), 7.31 (ddd, J=2.1, 4.2 &9.3 Hz, 1H), 7.04 (m, 2H), 5.88 (dt, J=2.7, 8.7 & 17.4 Hz, 1H), 5.65 (brs, 1H), 3.85 (s, 3H).

Example 38 Methyl5-(N-(3,4-difluoro-2-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenylamino)phenyl)sulfamoyl)-1-methyl-1H-pyrrole-2-carboxylate

According to the general procedure B,5,6-difluoro-N1-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenyl)benzene 1,2-diamine was reactedwith methyl 5-(chlorosulfonyl)-1-methyl-1H-pyrrole-2-carboxylate toobtain the title compound. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 7.37 (dd, J=1.8 &10.5 Hz, 1H), 7.29 (m, 2H), 7.12-6.94 (m, 4H), 5.87 (dt, J=1.8, 8.4 &17.4 Hz, 1H), 5.56 (br s, 1H), 3.65 (s, 3H), 3.75 (s, 3H).

Example 39N-(3,4-difluoro-2-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenylamino)phenyl)-5-methylisoxazole-4-sulfonamide

According to the general procedure A,5,6-difluoro-N1-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenyl)benzene 1,2-diamine was reactedwith the corresponding sulfonyl chloride to obtain the title compound.Yield: 22%; m/z=508 [M−1]⁻.

Example 403-Chloro-N-(3,4-difluoro-2-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenylamino)phenyl)propane-1-sulfonamide

According to the general procedure A,5,6-difluoro-N1-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenyl)benzene-1,2-diamine was reactedwith 3-chloropropane-1-sulfonyl chloride to obtain the desired product.¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃): δ=7.39-7.38 (d, 1H), 7.35-7.34 (m, 1H),7.27-7.26 (m, 1H), 7.10-7.0 (q, 1H), 6.63 (s, 1H, br), 6.15-6.11 (q,1H), 5.60 (s, 1H, br), 3.60-3.56 (t, 2H), 3.22-3.20 (m, 2H), 2.22-2.16(m, 2H).

Example 41N-(2-(4-chloro-2-fluorophenylamino)-3,4-difluorophenyl)cyclopropanesulfonamide

See example 1. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 0.85-0.95 (m, 2H), 1.05-1.15(ra, 2H), 2.2-2.4 (m, 1H), 5.8 (s, 1H), 6.3 (t, 1H), 6.6-7.4 (m, 5H);m/z=375 [M−1]⁻.

Example 42N-(3,4-difluoro-2-(4-iodo-2-methylphenylamino)phenyl)cyclopropanesulfonamide

See example 1. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃) δ 0.80-1.0 (m, 2H), 1.05-1.20 (m, 2H),1.55 (s, 3H), 2.4-2.5 (m, 1H), 5.6 (s, 1H), 6.2 (dd, 1H), 6.4 (s, 1H),7.1 (q, 1H), 7.3-7.4 (m, 2H), 7.5 (s, 1H); m/z=463 [M−1]⁻.

Example 43N-(2-(4-tert-butyl-2-chlorophenylamino)-3,4-difluorophenyl)cyclopropanesulfonamide

See example 1. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 0.9-1.0 (m, 2H), 1.05-1.20 (m,2H), 1.3 (s, 9H), 2.4-2.5 (m, 1H), 5.8 (s, 1H), 6.3 (dd, 1H), 6.6 (s,1H), 7.0-7.2 (m, 2H), 7.3-7.4 (m, 2H); m/z=413 [M−1]⁻.

Example 44N-(2-(2,4-dichlorophenylamino)-3,4-difluorophenyl)cyclopropanesulfonamide

See example 1. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 0.9-1.0 (m, 2H), 1.05-1.20 (m,2H), 2.4-2.5 (m, 1H), 6.0 (s, 1H), 6.3 (dd, 1H), 6.6 (s, 1H), 7.0-7.2(m, 2H), 7.3-7.4 (m, 2H); m/z=392 [M−1]⁻.

Example 453-Chloro-N-(3,4-difluoro-2-(2-fluoro-4-trifluoromethyl)phenylamino)phenyl)propane-1-sulfonamide

See example 1. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 7.39-7.26 (m, 2H), 7.25 (m,1H), 7.18 (dd, J=9.0 & 17.7 Hz, 1H), 6.78 (br s, D₂O exchangeable, 1H),6.50 (t, J=8.1 Hz, 1H), 6.00 (br d, D₂O exchangeable, J=1.5 Hz, 1H),3.63 (t, J=6.0 & 6.3 Hz, 2H), 3.29 (t, J=7.2 & 7.8 Hz, 2H), 2.26(quintet, 2H); m/z=445 [M−1]⁻.

Example 46N-(3,4-difluoro-2-(2-chloro-4-trifluoromethyl)phenylamino)methanesulfonamide

See example 1. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 7.65 (d, J=7.8 Hz, 1H), 7.33(m, 2H), 7.19 (dd, J=9.3 & 17.4 Hz, 1H), 6.90 (br s, D₂O exchangeable,1H), 6.45 (dd, J=1.5 & 8.4 Hz, 1H), 6.39 (br s, D₂O exchangeable, 1H),3.02 (s, 3H); m/z=399 [M−1]⁻.

Example 473-Chloro-N-(3,4-difluoro-2-(2-chloro-4-trifluoromethyl)phenylamino)phenyl)propane-1-sulfonamide

See example 1. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 7.66 (d, J=1.5 Hz, 1H), 7.36(m, 2H), 7.19 (dd, J=9.0 & 17.4 Hz, 1H), 6.91 (br s, D₂O exchangeable,1H), 6.50 (dd, J=8.4 & 1.5 Hz, 1H), 6.37 (s, D₂O exchangeable, 1H), 3.62(t, J=6.0 Hz, 2H), 3.29 (t, J=7.5 & 7.8 Hz, 2H), 2.27 (quintet, 2H);m/z=462 [M−1]⁻.

Example 483-Chloro-N-(3,4-difluoro-2-(2-bromo-4-trifluoromethyl)phenylamino)phenyl)propane-1-sulfonamide

See example 1. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 7.82 (s, 1H), 7.38 (m, 2H),7.20 (dd, J=9.0 & 17.7 Hz, 1H), 6.62 (br s, D₂O exchangeable, 1H), 6.43(d, J=8.4 Hz, 1H), 6.23 (s, D₂O exchangeable, 1H), 3.65 (t, J=6.0 Hz,2H), 3.30 (t, J=7.5 Hz, 2H), 2.28 (quintet, 2H); m/z=506 [M−1]⁻.

Example 49 Cyclopropanesulfonic acid(3,4,6-trifluoro-2-(2-fluoro-4-iodo-phenylamino)-phenyl)-amide Step A:(2-Fluoro-4-iodo-phenyl)-(2,3,5-trifluoro-6-nitro-phenyl)-amine

A stirred solution of 2-fluoro-4-iodoaniline (3.64 gm, 15.37 mmol) indry THF (100 ml) under nitrogen was cooled to −78° C. and a solution of1.0 M lithium hexa methyl disilazide (LiN(SiMe₃)₂) “LHMDS” (15.37 ml,15.37 mmol) was added slowly. This reaction mixture was kept stirring at−78° C. for another hour and then 2,3,4,6-tetrafluoronitrobenzene wasadded. The reaction mixture was allowed to warm to room temperature andstirring continued for another 16 hours. Ethyl acetate (200 ml) wasadded to the reaction mixture and was washed with water. Organic layerwas dried over sodium sulfate and further purified by columnchromatography to provide yellow solid (3.75 gm, yield: 59.24%). M−H⁺:410.9. ¹H NMR (DMSO, 300 MHz): 6.85 (t, 1H); 7.38 (d, 1H); 7.62 (m, 2H);8.78 (s, 1H).

Step B: 3,4,6-Trifluoro-N²-(2-Fluoro-4-iodo-phenyl)-benzene-1,2-diamine

To the stirred solution of(2-fluoro-4-iodo-phenyl)-(2,3,5-trifluoro-6-nitro-phenyl)-amine 3 (5.2gm, 12.62 mmol) in EtOH (200 ml), ammonium chloride (10.12 gm, 189.3mmol) and iron powder (10.57 gm, 189.3 mmol) was added. This reactionmixture was kept stirring at reflux for 16 hours. Reaction mixture wasallowed to cool and was filtered over celite and concentrated todryness. The residue obtained was taken into EtOAc and was washed withwater. The EtOAc layer was dried over sodium sulfate and furtherpurified by crystallization from EtOH to provide off-white solid (3.2gm, yield: 66.39%). M−H⁺: 381.1. ¹H NMR (DMSO, 300 MHz): 5.0 (s, 2H);6.2 (t, 1H); 7.2-7.3 (m, 2H); 7.45 (s, 1H); 7.5 (d, 1H).

Step C:4.6.7-Trifluoro-1-(2-Fluoro-4-iodo-phenyl)-1,3-dihydrobenzoimidazole-2-one

To the stirred solution of3,4,6-trifluoro-N2-(2-Fluoro-4-iodo-phenyl)-benzene-1,2-diamine 3 (0.285gm, 0.74 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (2 ml), 1,1′-carbonyldiimidazole (0.125 gm,0.75 mmol) was added. This reaction mixture was kept stirring at roomtemperature for 16 hours when product precipitated out. The white solidwas filtered and used further without any purification. (0.2 gm, yield:65.85%): m/z=407 [M−1]⁻.

Step D/E: Cyclopropanesulfonic acid(3,4,6-trifluoro-2-(2-fluoro-4-iodo-phenylamino)-phenyl)-amide

A stirred solution of4,6,7-trifluoro-1-(2-fluoro-4-iodo-phenyl)-1,3,-dihydrobenzimidazol-2-one(0.2 gm, 0.41 mmol) in dry THF (4 ml) under nitrogen was cooled to −78°C. and a solution of 1.0 M LiHMDS (0.41 ml, 0.41 mmol) was added slowly.(2 ml) followed by addition of cyclopropanesulfonyl chloride (0.050 ml,0.49 mmol). This reaction mixture was kept stirring at room temperaturefor 16 hours, concentrated to dryness and was taken into EtOAc. TheEtOAc was washed with water, dried over sodium sulfate and concentratedto dryness. The residue obtained1-cyclopropanesulfonyl-4,5,7-trifluoro-3-(2-fluoro-4-iodo-phenyl)-1,3-dihydro-benzimidazol-2-one5 was taken into dioxane (2 ml) and to this 1.0 N NaOH (0.5 ml) wasadded and kept stirring at room 50° C. for 16 hours. TLC indicatedincomplete reaction, the product was purified by HPLC to provideoff-white solid (4.4 mg) M+H⁺: 484.7, M−H⁺: 486.7. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 300MHZ): 0.9-1.1-(m, 2H); 1.1-1.2 (m, 2H); 2.45-2.55 (m, 1H); 6.05 (s, 1H);6.44-6.54 (m, 1H); 7.1 (s, 1H); 7.4-7.7 (d, 1H); 7.38-7.44 (dd, 1H);m/z=485 [M−1]⁻.

Example 50N-(3,4-difluoro-2-(4-fluoro-2-iodophenylamino)-6-ethoxyphenyl)cyclopropanesulfonamide Step A:(2J-Difluoro-5-methoxy-6-nitro-phenyl)-(2-fluoro-4-iodo-phenyl)-amine

A stirred solution of(2-fluoro-4-iodo-phenyl)-(2,3,5-trifluoro-6-nitro-phenyl)-amine (1.23gm, 3 mmol) in dry THF (25 ml) under nitrogen was cooled to −78° C. anda solution of 25% NaOMe (0.68 ml, 0.3 mmol) was added slowly. Reactionmixture was allowed to warm to room temperature and stirring continuedfor another 16 hours. TLC indicated incomplete reaction. Ethyl acetate(100 ml) was added to the reaction mixture and was washed with water.Organic layer was dried over sodium sulfate and further purified bycolumn chromatography to provide yellow solid (0.6 gm, yield: 47.6%);m/z=424 [M=H]⁺.

Step B: 5,6-Difluoro-N1-(4-fluoro-2-iodophenyl)-3-methoxybenzene-1,2-diamine

To the stirred solution of(2,3-difluoro-5-methoxy-6-nitro-phenyl)-(2-fluoro-4-iodo-phenyl)-amine(0.57 gm, 1.34 mmol) in EtOH (20 ml), ammonium chloride (1.18 gm, 20.16mmol) and iron powder (1.15 gm, 21.44 mmol) was added. This reactionmixture was kept stirring at reflux for 16 hours. Reaction mixture wasallowed to cool and was filtered over celite and concentrated todryness. The residue obtained was taken into EtOAc and was washed withwater. The EtOAc layer was dried over sodium sulfate and furtherpurified by crystallization from EtOH to provide off-white solid (0.47gm, yield: 90.3%). M−H⁺: 393.2. ¹H NMR (DMSO, 300 MHz): 3.76 (s, 3H);6.1 (t, 1H); 6.8-7.0 (m, 1H); 7.2 (d, 1H); 7.35 (s, 1H); 7.42 (d, 1H).

Step C:6,7-Difluoro-1-(4-fluoro-2-iodophenyl)-4-methoxy-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2(3H)-one

To the stirred solution of5,6-difluoro-N1-(4-fluoro-2-iodophenyl)-3-methoxybenzene-1,2-diamine(0.17 gm, 0.43 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (2 ml), 1,1′-Carbonyldiimidazole (0.085gm, 0.53 mmol) was added. This reaction mixture was kept stirring atroom temperature for 16 hours when product precipitated out. The whitesolid was filtered and used further without any purification. (0.089gm); m/z=419 [M−1]⁻.

Step D/F:N-(3,4-difluoro-2-(4-fluoro-2-iodophenylamino)-6-methoxyphenyl)cyclopropanesulfonamide

A stirred solution of1-(cyclopropylsulfonyl)-4,5-difluoro-3-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenyl)-7-methoxy-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2(3H)-one(0.89 gm, 0.17 mmol) in dry THF (4 ml) under nitrogen was cooled to −78°C. and a solution of 1.0 M LiHMDS (0.17 ml, 0.17 mmol) was added slowly.(2 ml) followed by addition of cyclopropanesulfonyl chloride (0.021 ml,0.21 mmol). This reaction mixture was kept stirring at room temperaturefor 16 hours, concentrated to dryness and was taken into EtOAc. TheEtOAc was washed with water, dried over sodium sulfate and concentratedto dryness. The resulting1-(cyclopropylsulfonyl)-4,5-difluoro-3-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenyl)-7-methoxy-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2(3H)-onewas taken into dioxane (2 ml) and to this 1.0 N NaOH (0.5 ml) was addedand kept stirring at room 50° C. for 16 hours. TLC indicated incompletereaction, the product was purified by HPLC to provide off-white solid(2.5 mg) M+H⁺: 484.7, M−H⁺: 497.3. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 300 MHz): 0.85-0.95(m, 2H); 1.05-1.15 (m, 2H); 2.4-2.5 (m, 1H); 3.9 (s, 3H); 6.1 (s, 1H);6.4-6.6 (m, 2H); 7.3 (m, 1H); 7.35-7.4 (dd, 1H); m/z=497 [M−1]⁻.

Example 51 Methylsulfonic acid(3,4-difluoro-2-(2-fluoro-4-iodo-phenylamino)-6-methoxy-phenyl)-amide

A stirred solution of5,6-difluoro-N1-(4-fluoro-2-iodophenyl)-3-methoxybenzene-1,2-diamine(0.150 gm, 0.38 mmol) in dry CH₂Cl₂ (4 ml), TEA (0.264 ml, 1.9 mmol) andmethanesulfonyl chloride was added slowly. This reaction mixture waskept stirring at room temperature for 16 hours, TLC indicated incompletereaction along with starting material two products were observed. Thereaction mixture was washed with water, organic layer was dried oversodium sulfate and concentrated to dryness, the product was purified bycolumn chromatography. The minor product was found to be the expectedcompound (6.4 mg). M−H⁺: 471.5. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 300 MHz): 3.9 (s, 3H);6.05 (s, 1H); 6.4-6.5 (m, 1H); 6.5-6.6 (m, 1H); 7.2 (s, 1H); 7.28 (d,1H); 7.35-7.4 (d, 1H); m/z=471 [M−1]⁻.

Example 52 1-(2,3-Dihydroxy-propyl)-cyclopropanesulfonic acid[3,4,6-trifluoro-2-(4-fluoro-2-iodo-phenylamino)-phenyl]-amide Step A:1-Allyl-cyclopropanesulfonicacid[3,4,6-trifluoro-2-(2-fluoro-4-iodo-phenylamino)phenyl]-amide

According to the general procedure B, 1-allyl-cyclopropanesulfonylchloride was reacted with3,5,6-trifluoro-N′-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenyl)benzene-1,2-diamine to obtainthe title product. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 300 MHz): δ 7.41 (dd, 1H), 7.38 (dd,1H), 7.09 (s, 1H), 6.78 (m, 1H), 6.49 (m, 1H), 5.96 (s, 1H), 5.86 (m,1H), 5.18 (d, 2H), 2.76 (d, 2H), 1.23 (m, 2H), 0.872 (m, 2H).

Step B: 1-(2,3-Dhydroxypropyl)-N-(3,4,6-trifluoro-2-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenylamino)phenyl)cyclopropane-1-sulfonamide

1-Allyl-cyclopropanesulfonic acid[3,4,6-trifluoro-2-(2-fluoro-4-iodo-phenylamino)-phenyl]-amide (110 mg,0.21 mmol) and 4-methylmorpholine N-oxide (24.6 mg, 0.21 mmol) wasdissolved in THF (8 mL). Osmium tetroxide was added at room temperature(0.021 mmol, 0.153 mL, 4% in H₂O) and the reaction mixture was stirredat room temperature for 16 hours. EtOAc was added, the organic phase waswashed with water, dried (MgSO₄) and concentrated under reducedpressure. The residue was purified over silica gel chromatography(eluants: EtOAc/MeOH) to obtain the titled product (0.89 g, 75%). ¹H NMR(CDCl₃, 300 MHz): δ 7.39 (dd, J=1.5 & 10.6 Hz, 1H), 7.29 (d, J=8.8 Hz,1H), 7.28 (s, 1H), 6.97 (s, 1H), 6.76 (m, 1H), 6.49 (m, 1H), 4.13 (m,1H), 3.66 (dd, J=3.7 & 11.4 Hz, 1H), 3.53 (dd. J=6.7 & 11.2 Hz, 1H),2.50 (dd, J=10.0 & 16.1 Hz, 1H), 1.6 (m, 1H), 1.46 (m, 1H), 1.28 (m,1H), 1.20 (m, 2H), 0.92 (m, 2H); m/z=559 [M−1]⁻.

Example 53(S)-1-(2,3-dihydroxypropyl)-N-(3,4,6-trifluoro-2-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenylamino)phenyl)cyclopropane-1-sulfonamide

The pure S isomer was obtained by chiral HPLC separation of the racemicmixture (example 52). ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 300 MHz): δ 7.39 (dd, J=1.5 & 10.6Hz, 1H), 7.29 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 1H), 7.28 (s, 1H), 6.97 (s, 1H), 6.76 (m,1H), 6.49 (m, 1H), 4.13 (m, 1H), 3.66 (dd, J=3.7 & 11.4 Hz₅ 1H), 3.53(dd, J=6.7 & 11.2 Hz, 1H), 2.50 (dd, J=10.0 & 16.1 Hz, 1H), 1.6 (m, 1H),1.46 (m, 1H), 1.28 (m, 1H), 1.20 (m, 2H), 0.92 (m, 2H); m/z=559 [M−1]⁻.

Example 54(R)-1-(2,3-dihydroxypropyl)-N-(3,4,6-trifluoro-2-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenylamino)phenyl)cyclopropane-1-sulfonamide

The pure R isomer was obtained by chiral HPLC separation of the racemicmixture (example 52). ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 300 MHz): δ 7.39 (dd, J=1.5 & 10.6Hz, 1H), 7.29 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 1H), 7.28 (s, 1H), 6.97 (s, 1H), 6.76 (m,1H), 6.49 (m, 1H), 4.13 (m, 1H), 3.66 (dd, J=3.7 & 11.4 Hz, 1H), 3.53(dd, J=6.7 & 11.2 Hz, 1H), 2.50 (dd, J=10.0 & 16.1 Hz, 1H), 1.6 (m, 1H),1.46 (m, 1H), 1.28 (m, 1H), 1.20 (m, 2H), 0.92 (m, 2H); m/z=559 [M−1]⁻.

Example 55N-(3,4-difluoro-2-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenylamino)phenyl)-1-(2,3-dihydroxypropyl)cyclopropane-1-sulfonamideStep A:1-Allyl-N-3,4-difluoro-2-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenylamino)-6-methoxyphenyl)cyclopropane-1-sulfonamide

According to the general procedure B, 1-allyl-cyclopropanesulfonylchloride was reacted with5,6-difluoro-N1-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenyl)-3-methoxybenzene-1,2-diamine toobtain the title product. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 300 MHz): δ 7.417 (dd, 1H),7.309 (s, 1H), 7.25 (m, 1H), 6.89 (m, 1H), 6.52 (m, 1H), 6.427 (m, 1H),6.03 (s, 1H), 5.668 (m, 1H), 5.11 (t, 1H), 3.9 (s, 3H), 2.75 (d, 2H),1.21 (m, 2H), 0.767 (m, 2H).

Step B:N-(3,4-difluoro-2-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenylamino)phenyl)-1-(2,3-dihydroxypropyl)cyclopropane-1-sulfonamide

1-Allyl-N-(3,4-difluoro-2-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenylamino)-6-methoxyphenyl)cyclopropane-1-sulfonamide(97 mg, 0.18 mmol) and 4-methylmorpholine N-oxide (21 mg, 0.18 mmol)were dissolved in THF (8 mL). Osmium tetroxide was added at roomtemperature (0.018 mmol, 0.13 mL, 4% in H₂O) and the reaction mixturewas stirred at room temperature for 16 hours. EtOAc was added, theorganic phase was washed with water, dried (MgSO₄) and concentratedunder reduced pressure. The residue was purified over silica gelchromatography (eluants: EtOAc/MeOH) to obtain the titled product (0.80g, 78%). ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 300 MHz): δ 7.38 (dd, J=1.7 & 10.3 Hz, 1H), 7.26(m, 1H), 7.14 (s, 1H), 6.87 (s, 1H), 6.53 (dd, J=6.8 & 11.4 Hz, 1H),6.43 (m, 1H), 4.06 (m, 1H), 3.89 (s, 3H), 3.63 (dd, J=3.7 & 1.11 Hz,1H), 3.49 (dd, J=6.4 & 11.1 Hz, 1H), 2.3 (dd, J=9.7 & 16.1 Hz, 1H), 1.77(dd, J=1.9 & 16.0 Hz, 1H), 1.37 (m, 1H), 1.25 (m, 1H), 1.21 (m, 2H),0.86 (m, 2H); m/z=571 [M−1]⁻.

Example 56(S)-N-(3,4-difluoro-2-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenylamino)-6-methoxyphenyl)-1-(2,3-dihydroxypropyl)cyclopropane-1-sulfonamide

The pure S isomer was obtained by chiral HPLC separation of the racemicmixture (example 55). ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 300 MHz): δ 7.38 (dd, J=1.7 & 10.3Hz, 1H), 7.26 (m, 1H), 7.14 (s, 1H), 6.87 (s, 1H), 6.53 (dd, J=6.8 &11.4 Hz, 1H), 6.43 (m, 1H), 4.06 (m, 1H), 3.89 (s, 3H), 3.63 (dd, J=3.7& 11.1 Hz, 1H), 3.49 (dd, J=6.4 & 11.1 Hz, 1H), 2.3 (dd, J=9.7 & 16.1Hz, 1H), 1.77 (dd, J=1.9 & 16.0 Hz, 1H), 1.37 (m, 1H), 1.25 (m, 1H),1.21 (r, 2H), 0.86 (m, 2H); m/z=571 [M−1]⁻.

Example 57(R)-N-(3,4-difluoro-2-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenylamino)-6-methoxyphenyl)-1-(2,3-dihydroxypropyl)cyclopropane-1-sulfonamide

The pure R isomer was obtained by chiral HPLC separation of the racemicmixture (example 55). ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 300 MHz): δ 7.38 (dd, J=1.7 & 10.3Hz, 1H), 7.26 (m, 1H), 7.14 (s, 1H), 6.87 (s, 1H), 6.53 (dd, J=6.8 &11.4 Hz, 1H), 6.43 (m, 1H), 4.06 (m, 1H), 3.89 (s, 3H), 3.63 (dd, J=3.7& 11.1 Hz, 1H), 3.49 (dd, J=6.4 & 11.1 Hz, 1H), 2.3 (dd, J=9.7 & 16.1Hz, 1H), 1.77 (dd, J=1.9 & 16.0 Hz, 1H), 1.37 (m, 1H), 1.25 (m, 1H),1.21 (m, 2H), 0.86 (m, 2H); m/z=571 [M−1]⁻.

Example 581-(2-hydroxyethyl)-N-(3,4,6-trifluoro-2-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenylamino)phenyl)cyclopropane-1-sulfonamideStep A: TBS-protected1-(2-hydroxyethyl)-N-(3,4,6-trifluoro-2-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenylamino)phenyl)cyclopropane-1-sulfonamide

According to the general procedure B, the sulfonyl chloride prepared instep C of example 16 was reacted with5,6-difluoro-N1-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenyl)-3-fluorobenzene-1,2-diamine toobtain the title product. Yield: 13%. ¹H-NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ=7.51(s, 1H, br), 7.37-7.35 (d, 1H), 7.27-7.25 (d, 1H), 6.94 (s, 1H, br),6.78-6.68 (m, 1H), 6.46-6.44 (m, 1H), 3.90-3.88 (t, 2H), 2.12-2.10 (t,2H), 1.31-1.28 (m, 2H), 0.91-0.89 (m, 2H), 0.86 (s, 9H), 0.05 (s, 6H);m/z=643 [M−1]⁻.

Step B:1-(2-hydroxyethyl)-N-(3,4,6-trifluoro-2-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenylamino)-phenyl)cyclopropane-1-sulfonamide

Same procedure as in step E, example 16. Yield: 100%. ¹H-NMR (300 MHz,CDCl₃): δ=7.51 (s, 1H, br), 7.37-7.35 (d, 1H), 7.27-7.25 (d, 1H), 6.94(s, 1H, br), 6.78-6.68 (m, 1H), 6.46-6.44 (m, 1H), 3.90-3.88 (t, 2H),2.12-2.10 (t, 2H), 1.31-1.28 (m, 2H), 0.91-0.89 (m, 2H); m/z=529 [M−1]⁻.

Example 59N-(3,4-difluoro-2-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenylamino)-6-methoxyphenyl)-1-(2-hydroxyethyl)cyclopropane-1-sulfonamideStep A: TBS-protectedN-(3,4-difluoro-2-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenylamino)-6-methoxyphenyl)-1-(2-hydroxyethyl)cyclopropane-1-sulfonamide

According to the general procedure B, the sulfonyl chloride prepared instep C of example 16 was reacted with5,6-difluoro-N1-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenyl)-3-methoxy-benzene-1,2-diamine toobtain the title product. Yield: 37%. ¹H-NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃):δ=7.40-7.34 (dd, 1H), 7.23-7.21 (m, 1H), 6.61 (s, 1H, br), 6.57-6.49(dd, 1H), 6.48-6.39 (m, 1H), 3.9-3.7 (m, 5H), 2.15-2.05 (t, 2H),1.30-1.20 (m, 2H), 0.95-0.80 (m, 1H), 0.05 (s, 6H); m/z=655 [M−1]⁻.

Step B:N-(3,4-difluoro-2-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenylamino)-6-methoxyphenyl)-1-(2-hydroxyethyl)cyclopropane-1-sulfonamide

Same procedure as in step E, example 16. Yield: 100%. ¹H-NMR (300 MHz,CDCl₃): δ=7.40-7.34 (dd, 1H), 7.23-7.21 (m, 1H), 6.61 (s, 1H, br),6.57-6.49 (dd, 1H), 6.48-6.39 (m, 1H), 3.9-3.7 (m, 5H), 2.15-2.05 (t,2H), 1.30-1.20 (r, 2H), 0.95-0.80 (m, 2H); m/z=541 [M−1]⁻.

Example 60N-(3,4-difluoro-2-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenylamino)-6-methoxyphenyl)-1-(3-hydroxy-2-(hydroxymethyl)propyl)cyclopropane-1-sulfonamideStep A: Dimethyl 2-(2-bromoallyl)malonate

To a suspension of sodium hydride (5.0 g, 125 mmol) in HMPA (50 ml,distilled from calcium hydride) was added a solution of dimethylmalonate (11.7 ml, 100 mmol) in HMPA (5 ml) at 0° C. under argon. Themixture was heated to 50° C. and stirred 1 hour. Following this thesolution was again cooled to 0° C., and a solution of 2,3-dibromopropene(12.2 ml, 100 mmol) in HMPA (5 ml) was added to the reaction mixture.Next, the solution was warmed to 40° C. and stirred for 1 hour. Thereaction mixture was quenched with aq. HCl (10%, 88 ml) and extractedwith ether (3×45 ml). The organic fractions were collected, dried overMgSO-₄, and the solvent was removed in vacuo. The crude oil was purifiedvia silica gel chromatography (eluants: chloroform/hexane) to obtain thetitled product as a colorless oil (16.3 g, 65%). ¹H-NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃)δ 5.70 (d, J=1.8 Hz, 1H), 5.48 (d, J=1.8 Hz, 1H), 3.63 (t, J=7.5 Hz,1H), 3.76 (s, 6H), 3.04 (d, J=7.5 Hz, 2H).

Step B: 2-(2-Bromoallyl)propane-1,3-diol

Lithium aluminum hydride (1.9 g, 7.65 mmol) was slurried in anhydrousdiethyl ether (50 ml) and cooled to −78° C. in a dry ice/acetone bath. Asolution of the product from step A (0.639 g, 16.84 mmol) in dry ether(26 ml) was then added dropwise. After the malonate was added, thesolution was allowed warm to room temperature and stirring was continuedfor 3 hours. The reaction was quenched with brine (50 ml), extractedwith ethyl acetate (3×25 ml) and dried over MgSO₄. The solvent wasremoved in vacuo to give the desired product (1.3 g, 86%) which was usedfor the next step without further purification. ¹H-NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃)δ 5.66 (d, J=1.2 Hz, 1H), 5.48 (d, J=1.5 Hz, 1H), 3.86 (m, 2H), 3.73 (m,2H), 2.51 (d, J=7.5 Hz, 2H), 2.40 (br s, 2H), 2.15 (m, 1H).

Step C: Di-tert-butyldimethylsilyl protected2-(2-bromoallyl)propane-1,3-diol

The product from step B (2.8 g, 14.20 mmol) was dissolved in anhydrousTHF (140 ml). Anhydrous pyridine (2.5 ml, 31.24 mmol) was added, and thesolution was cooled to 0° C. tert-Butyldimethylsilyltriflate (7.2 ml,31.24 mmol) was added dropwise, and upon completion, the reactionsolution was heated to 35° C. After stirring for 6 days, the reactionwas quenched with 100 ml brine, extracted with ethyl acetate (3×50 ml)and dried over MgSO₄. The combined organic phases were evaporated toobtain the crude product (5.5 g, 91%) as a yellow oil which was used inthe next step without further purification. ¹H-NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ5.54 (d, J=0.9 Hz, 1H), 5.40 (d, J=1.2 Hz, 1H), 3.55 (d, J=5.4, 4H),2.40 (d, J=6.9 Hz, 2H), 1.97 (m, 1H), 0.85 (s, 18H), 0.02 (s, 9H).

Step D: Di-tert-butyldimethylsilyl protected2-((1-bromocyclopropyl)methyl)propane-1,3-diol

A reaction flask was charged with anhydrous CH₂Cl₂ (10 ml) and diethylzinc (1.0 M in hexanes, 4.65 ml, 4.65 mmol) at 0° C. Trifluoroaceticacid (0.358 ml, 4.65 mmol) was added dropwise and the solution wasallowed to stir for 20 minutes. Diiodomethane (0.375 ml, 4.65 mmol) wasthen added and the solution was stirred for another 20 minutes. Finally,the product from step C (0.492 g, 1.16 mmol) was added and the solutionwas allowed to warm to ambient temperature, stirring for 16 hours. Thereaction was quenched with saturated aqueous NH₄Cl. The layers werepartitioned and the aqueous phase was extracted with chloroform (3×5ml). The combined organic phases were washed with brine (10 ml), driedover MgSO₄, and the volatiles were removed in vacuo. The resulting crudewas purified via silica gel chromatography (eluants: chloroform/hexanes)to provide the product as a clear oil (0.280 g, 64%). ¹H-NMR (300 MHz,CDCl₃) δ 3.66 (d, J=5.4, 4H), 2.08 (m, 1H), 1.64 (d, J=6.9, 2H), 1.13(m, 2H), 0.88 (s, 18H), 0.81 (m, 2H), 0.04 (s, 9H).

Step E: Di-tert-butyldimethylsilyl protected1-(3-hydroxy-2-(hydroxymethyl)propyl)cyclopropane-1-sulfonyl chloride

The product from step D (0.507 g, 1.16 mmol) was dissolved in anhydrousether (6 ml) and the reaction solution was cooled to −78° C. Followingthis, tert-butyllithium (1.7 M in pentane, 1.50 ml, 2.55 mmol) was addeddropwise over 5 minutes. After stirring for 0.5 hours, the lithiatedproduct was transferred via cannula to a stirred solution of sulfurylchloride (0.206 ml, 2.55 mmol) in dry ether (6 ml) at −78° C. Once thetransfer is complete, the solution was allowed to warm to roomtemperature, the solvent was evaporated and the resulting white solidwas slurried in dry hexanes. This slurry was immediately filteredthrough celite, and all volatiles were removed in vacuo. The resultingcrude product (0.376 g, 71%) was isolated as a yellow oil and was usedin the following step without further purification. ¹H-NMR (300 MHz,CDCl₃) δ 3.60 (m, 4H), 2.16 (m, 1H), 2.03 (d, 2H), 0.88 (s, 18H), 0.04(s, 9H).

Step F: Di-tert-butyldimethylsilyl protectedN-(3,4-difluoro-2-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenylamino)-6-methoxyphenyl)1-(3-hydroxy-2-(hydroxymethyl)propyl)cyclopropane-1-sulfonamide

5,6-difluoro-N1-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenyl)-3-methoxybenzene-1,2-diamine(8.8 mg, 0.022 mmol) was dissolved in anhydrous pyridine (0.5 ml) underan argon atmosphere. The product from step E (20.5 mg, 0.045 mmol),dissolved in dry pyridine (0.5 ml), was added to the reaction flask andthe mixture was heated at 80° C. for 21 hours. The solvent was removedin vacuo and the resulting crude was purified via silica gelchromatography (eluents: ethyl acetate/hexanes) to provide the titlecompound (2.75 mg, 15%). m/z 813.5 (M−1).

Step G:N-(3,4-difluoro-2-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenylamino)-6-methoxyphenyl)-1-(3-hydroxy-2-(hydroxymethyl)propyl)cyclopropane-1-sulfonamide

The product from step F (27.9 mg, 0.0342 mmol) was dissolved in THF (1ml) and treated with aqueous HCl (1.2 N, 0.2 ml) at 0° C. The resultingsolution was stirred for 4 hours. Following this, the reaction wasquenched with saturated aqueous NaHCO₃, extracted with ethyl acetate,dried over MgSO₄ and the volatiles were removed in vacuo. The resultingcrude was purified via silica gel chromatography (eluents:methanol/chloroform) followed by LC-MS purification to provide the titlecompound (11.8 mg, 59%). ¹H-NMR (300 MHz, CD₃OD) δ 7.32 (dd, 1H), 7.21(d, 1H), 6.76 (dd, 1H), 6.33 (m, 1H), 3.82 (s, 3H), 3.52 (d, 4H), 2.01(m, 1H), 1.88 (d, 2H), 1.07 (m, 2H), 0.75 (m, 2H), m/z 585.3 (M−1)⁻.

Example 61N-(3,4-difluoro-2-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenylamino)-6-methoxyphenyl)cyclobutanesulfonamide Step A: Cyclobutanesulfonyl chloride

To a suspension of Mg turnings (0.790 g, 32.5 mmol) in 20 ml anhydrousdiethyl ether was added a solution of cyclobutylbromide (1.8 ml, 2.5722g, 19.1 mmol) in 20 ml diethyl ether in small portions with strongstirring. After the initial exothermic reaction had ceased, the mixturewas further heated to the reflux temperature for 30 min. The suspensionwas cooled down to room temperature and the supernatant was added insmall portions to an ice-cold solution of sulfuryl chloride (4.6 ml,7.728 g, 57.2 mmol) in 30 ml anhydrous DCM. After complete addition, thesuspension was warmed to room temperature and the volatiles were removedin vacuo. The residue was dried in oil-pump vacuo for 15 min, then itwas extracted with hexane (150 ml). The hexane suspension was filteredand the hexane was removed in vacuo to give the crude product as darkpurple oil which was used for the next step without furtherpurification. There is still some unreacted cyclopropylbromide present.Crude yield: 1.1 g (38%).

Step B:N-(3,4-difluoro-2-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenylamino)-6-methoxyphenyl)cyclobutanesulfonamide

According to the general procedure B, the cyclobutylsulfonyl chlorideprepared in the step above was reacted with5,6-difluoro-N1-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenyl)-3-methoxy-benzene-1,2-diamine toobtain the title product. Yield: 75%. ¹H-NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ=7.44(s, 1H, br), 7.41-7.36 (dd, 1H), 7.24-7.23 (m, 1H), 6.54-6.38 (m, 2H),5.90 (s, 1H, br), 3.85-3.75 (m, 5H), 2.60-2.40 (m, 2H), 2.25-2.15 (m,1H), 2.15-1.95 (m, 2H); m/z=511 [M−1]⁻.

Example 62N-(3,4-difluoro-2-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenylamino)-6-methylphenyl)-1-(2,3-dihydroxypropyl)cyclopropane-1-sulfonamideStep A: (3,4,5-Trifluorophenyl)methanol

To a cooled (−5° C.) solution of 3,4,5-trifluorobenzaldehyde (7.0 g,43.75 mmol) in a mixture (50 ml, 9:1) of THF and water NaBH₄ (1.662 g,43.75 mmol) was slowly added in portions over a period of 30 min. Thereaction mixture was allowed to attain room temperature over a period of2 h and carefully poured into ice-cold dil HCl (200 ml, IN). The oilylayer was extracted into CH₂Cl₂ (250 ml) and the organic layer washedwith water (200 ml), dried (MgSO₄) and evaporated. The crude product(7.08 g, quantitative) obtained was taken forward without furtherpurification.

Step B: 5-(Bromomethyl)-1,2,3-trifluorobenzene

To a solution of the (3,4,5-Trifluorophenyl)methanol (40 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂(150 ml), a solution of thionyl bromide (6.16 ml, 80 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (50ml) was added slowly. The reaction mixture stirred at room temperaturefor 16 h and poured into ice-water (200 ml). The organic layer wasseparated and washed with saturated NaHCO₃ (2×200 ml), water (200 ml),dried (MgSO₄) and evaporated to obtain the corresponding bromo compoundas a pale yellow oil in quantitative yield. The crude product wascarried forward for the next reaction without further purification.

Step C: 1,2,3-Trifluoro-5-methylbenzene

The above bromo compound (40 mmol) was mixed with triethylsilane (48mmol) and the reaction mixture was treated with solid PdCl₂ (4 mmol) insmall portions. After a few minutes a vigorous exothermic reaction wasensued and care was taken to reflux the contents of the flask by placinga reflux condenser. The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperaturefor additional 6 h and the contents were allowed to settle over 16 h.Then the crude liquid product was decanted carefully and carried forwardfor the next reaction without further purification. It was assumed thatthe reaction proceeds in quantitative yield.

Step D: 1,2,3-Trifluoro-5-methyl-4-nitrobenzene

1,2,3-Trifluoro-5-methylbenzene (40 mmol) was added to conc. H₂SO₄ (50ml) at 0-5° C. Then the reaction mixture was slowly treated with conc.HNO₃ (3.39 ml, 48.44 mmol, 90%) while maintaining the internaltemperature below 20° C. The reaction mixture was stirred at roomtemperature for 16 h and poured onto ice (300 g) and the oily layer wasextracted with CH₂Cl₂ (2×125 ml). The organic layer was washed withwater (2×200 ml), brine (200 ml) and dried (MgSO₄) and evaporated toobtain the crude product which was purified over flash silica gelchromatography to obtain the title product (6.5 g, 85%). ¹H-NMR (300MHz, CDCl₃): δ 6.96 (septet, 1H), 2.39 (s, 3H). ¹⁹FNMR (CDCl₃): δ−128.18, −141.50, −159.05.

Step E: 2,3-Difluoro-N-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenyl)-5-methyl-6-nitroaniline

2-Fluoro-4-iodoaniline and 1,2,3-trifluoro-5-methyl-4-nitrobenzene werereacted using the condition described in Example 1 (Step A) to form thetitle compound. M−H⁺: 407.9

Step F:5,6-Difluoro-N1-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenyl)-3-methylbenzene-1,2-diamine

1,2,3-Difluoro-N-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenyl)-5-methyl-6-nitroaniline wasreduced using the condition described in Example 1 (step B) to form thetitle compound. M−H⁺: 377.4

Step G:1-Allyl-N-(3,4-difluoro-2-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenylamino)-6-methylphenyl)cyclopropane-1-sulfonamide

According to the general procedure B, 1-allyl-cyclopropanesulfonylchloride (142 mg, 142 mg) was reacted with5,6-difluoro-N-1-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenyl)-3-methylbenzene-1,2-diamine(150 mg, 0.4 mmol) to obtain the title product (100 mg, 47%); m/z=521[M−1]⁻.

Step H:N-(3,4-difluoro-2-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenylamino)-6-methylphenyl)-1-(2,3-dihydroxypropyl)cyclopropane-1-sulfonamide

1-Allyl-N-(3,4-difluoro-2-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenylamino)-6-methylphenyl)cyclopropane-1-sulfonamide(150 mg, 0.29 mmol) and 4-methylmorpholine N-oxide (33 mg, 0.29 mmol)was dissolved in THF (5 mL). Osmium tetroxide was added at roomtemperature (0.029 mmol, 0.18 mL, 4% in H₂O) and the reaction mixturewas stirred at room temperature for 16 hours. EtOAc was added, theorganic phase was washed with water, dried (MgSO₄) and concentratedunder reduced pressure. The residue was purified over silica gelchromatography (eluants: EtOAc/MeOH) to obtain the titled product (0.110g, 68%). ¹H-NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 7.07 (m, 1H), 6.97 (br m, 2H), 6.84(m, 2H), 6.60 (br m, 2H), 3.98 (br r, 1H), 3.58 (m, 1H), 3.43 (m, 1H),3.20 (d, J=3.9 Hz, 1H), 2.42 (s, 3H), 2.31 (dd, J=9.9 & 15.6 Hz, 1H),2.01 (br t, 1H), 2.31 (dd, J=9.9& 15.6 Hz, 1H), 1.66 (dd, J=2.1 & 15.9Hz, 1H), 1.52 ((m, 1H), 1.40 (m, 1H), 0.91 (m, 2H).

Example 631-(2,3-Dihydroxypropyl)-N-(6-ethyl-3,4-difluoro-2-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenylamino)phenyl)cyclopropane-1-sulfonamideStep A: 1-(3,4,5-Trifluorophenyl)ethanol

An ethereal solution (17.41 ml, 52.24 mmol, 3M) of MeMgBr was slowlyadded at −78° C. to a solution of 3,4,5-trifluorobenzaldehyde (6.96 g,43.53 mmol) in THF (125 ml). The reaction mixture was stirred at roomtemperature for 16 h and was cooled (0° C.) and was quenched,sequentially, with excess ethyl acetate (10 ml) and water (5 ml). Excessanhydrous MgSO₄ (5 g) was added and stirred for 30 minutes at roomtemperature. The suspension was filtered over celite and the solids werewashed with ethyl acetate (2×25 ml). The combined filtrate wasevaporated to obtain the product in quantitative yield (7.65 g).

Step B: 5-(1-Bromoethyl)-1,2,3-trifluorobenzene

To a solution of the 1-(3,4,5-Trifluorophenyl)ethanol: (7.65 g, 43.5mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (250 ml), a solution of thionyl bromide (18.1 g, 87mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (50 ml) was added slowly. The reaction mixture stirredat room temperature for 16 h and poured into ice-water (200 ml). Theorganic layer was separated and washed with saturated NaHCO₃ (2×200 ml),water (200 ml), dried (MgSO₄) and evaporated to obtain the correspondingbromo compound as a pale yellow oil in quantitative yield (10.4 g). Thecrude product was carried forward for the next reaction without furtherpurification.

Step C: 5-Ethyl-1,2,3-trifluorobenzene

The above bromo compound (9.65 g, 40.4 mmol) was mixed withtriethylsilane (41 mmol) and the reaction mixture was treated with solidPdCl₂ (177 mg, 4 mmol) in small portions. After a few minutes a vigorousexothermic reaction was ensued and care was taken to reflux the contentsof the flask by placing a reflux condenser. The reaction mixture wasstirred at room temperature for additional 6 h and the contents wereallowed to settle over 16 h. Then the crude liquid product was decantedcarefully and carried forward for the next reaction without furtherpurification. It was assumed that the reaction proceeds in quantitativeyield.

Step D: 1-Ethyl-3,4,5-trifluoro-2-nitrobenzene

1,2,3-Trifluoro-5-methylbenzene (6.46 g, 40.4 mmol) was added to conc.H₂SO₄ (50 ml) at 0-5° C. Then the reaction mixture was slowly treatedwith conc. HNO₃ (3.39 ml, 48.44 mmol, 90%) while maintaining theinternal temperature below 20° C. The reaction mixture was stirred atroom temperature for 16 h and poured onto ice (300 g) and the oily layerwas extracted with CH₂Cl₂ (2×125 ml). The organic layer was washed withwater (2×200 ml), brine (200 ml) and dried (MgSO₄) and evaporated toobtain the crude product which was purified over flash silica gelchromatography to obtain the title product (6.6 g, 79%). ¹H NMR (CDCl₃):δ 6.98 (septet, 1H), 2.68 (q, 2H), 1.26 (t, J=7.8 & 7.2 Hz, 3H).

Step E: 3-Ethyl-5,6-difluoro-N-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenyl)-2 nitroaniline

2-Fluoro-4-iodoaniline (2.05 g, 10 mmol) and1-ethyl-3,4,5-trifluoro-2-nitrobenzene (2.37 g, 10 mmol) were reactedusing the condition described in example 1 (Step A) to form the titlecompound (2.47 g, 60%); m/z=407 [M−1]⁻.

Step F:3-Ethyl-5,6-difluoro-N1-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenyl)benzene-1,2-diamine

1,2,3-Trifluoro-5-methyl-4-nitrobenzene (2.47 g, 5.85 mmol) was reducedusing the condition described in example 1 (Step B) to form the titlecompound. M−H⁺: 393

Step G:1-Allyl-N-(6-ethyl-3,4-difluoro-2-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenylamino)phenyl)cyclopropane-1-sulfonamide

According to the general procedure B, 1-allyl-cyclopropanesulfonylchloride (230 mg, 1.27 mmol) was reacted with5,6-difluoro-N1-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenyl)-3-methylbenzene-1,2-diamine (100mg, 0.255 mmol) to obtain the title product (72 mg, 53%); m/z=535[M−1]⁻.

Step H:1-(2,3-Dihydroxypropyl)-N-(6-ethyl-3,4-difluoro-2-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenylamino)phenyl)cyclopropane-1-sulfonamide

1-Allyl-N-(3,4-difluoro-2-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenylamino)-6-methylphenyl)cyclopropane-1-sulfonamide(70 mg, 0.13 mmol) and 4-methylmorpholine N-oxide (15 mg, 0.13 mmol) wasdissolved in THF (2 mL). Osmium tetroxide was added at room temperature(0.013 mmol) 0.075 mL, 4% in H₂O) and the reaction mixture was stirredat room temperature for 16 hours. EtOAc was added, the organic phase waswashed with water, dried (MgSO₄) and concentrated under reducedpressure. The residue was purified over silica gel chromatography(eluants: EtOAc/MeOH) to obtain the titled product. ¹H NMR (300 MHz,CDCl₃): δ 7.38 (dd, J=2.1 & 10.8 Hz, 1H), 7.27 (m, 2H), 7.12 (br s, 1H),6.91 (dd, J=8.1 & 10.8 Hz, 1H), 6.69 (br s, 1H), 6.36 (dt, J=4.8, 8.7 &13.5 Hz, 1H), 4.00 (m, 1H), 3.62 (dd, J=3.6 & 10.5 Hz, 1H), 3.47 (br m,2H), 2.81 (q, 2H), 2.40 (dd, J=10.2 & 15.9 Hz, 1H), 1.73 (br m, 2H),1.58 (m, 1H), 1.43 (m, 1H), 0.94 (m, 2H).

Example 64N-(3,4-difluoro-2-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenylamino)-6-(2-methoxyethoxy)phenyl)-1-(2,3-dihydroxypropyl)cyclopropane-1-sulfonamideStep A: 1,2,3-Trifluoro-5-(2-methoxyethoxy)-4-nitrobenzene

To a mixture of 3,4,5-trifluoro-2-nitrophenol (1.93, 10 mmol), Ph₃P(3.93 g, 15 mmol), and 2-methoxy-ethanol (1.18 ml, 15 mmol) in anhydrousTHF (25 ml) a solution of diisopropyl azodicarboxylate (2.91 ml, 15mmol) in THF (5 ml) was added at 0° C. and the reaction mixture wasstirred at room temperature for 16 h. The volatiles were evaporated andthe residue was dissolved in CH₂Cl₂ (100 ml) and the organic layer waswashed with water (100 ml), brine (100 ml) dried (MgSO₄) and evaporated.The residue obtained was purified over flash silica gel chromatographyto obtain the titled product in 68% (1.70 g) yield. ¹H NMR (300 MHz,CDCl₃): δ 6.78 (ddd, J=2.4, 6.0, 11.7 Hz, 1H), 4.19 (t, J=4.5 Hz, 2H),3.72 (t, J=4.5 Hz, 2H), 3.39 (s, 3H).

Step B:2,3-Difluoro-N-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenyl)-5-(2-methoxyethoxy)-6-nitroaniline

2-Fluoro-4-iodoaniline (1.6 g, 6.8 mmol) and1,2,3-trifluoro-5-(2-methoxyethoxy)-4-nitrobenzene (1.7 g, 6.8 mmol)were reacted using the condition described in Example 1 (Step A) to formthe title compound (1.02 g, 32%); m/z=467 [M−1].

Step C:5,6-Difluoro-N-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenyl)-3-(2-methoxyethoxy)benzene-1,2-diamine

2,3-Difluoro-N-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenyl)-5-(2-methoxyethoxy)-6-nitroaniline(1.017 g, 2.17 mmol) was reduced using the condition described inExample 1 (Step B) to form the title compound; m/z=337 [M−1].

Step D:1-Allyl-N-(3,4-difluoro-2-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenylamino)-6-(2-methoxyethoxy)phenyl)cyclopropane-1-sulfonamide

According to the general procedure B, 1-allyl-cyclopropanesulfonylchloride (450 mg, 2.5 mmol) was reacted with5,6-difluoro-N1-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenyl)-3-(2-methoxyethoxy)benzene-1,2-diamine(219 mg, 2.5 mmol) to obtain the title product (230 mg, 78%); m/z=581[M−1]⁻.

Step E:N-(3,4-difluoro-2-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenylamino)-6-(2-methoxyethoxy)phenyl)-1-(2,3-dihydroxypropyl)cyclopropane-1-sulfonamide

1-allyl-N-(3,4-difluoro-2-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenylamino)-6-(2-methoxyethoxy)phenyl)cyclopropane-1-sulfonamide(230 mg, 0.395 mmol) and 4-methylmorpholine N-oxide (46 mg, 0.395 mmol)was dissolved in THF (2 mL). Osmium tetroxide was added at roomtemperature (0.039 mmol, 0.25 mL, 4% in H₂O) and the reaction mixturewas stirred at room temperature for 16 hours. EtOAc was added, theorganic phase was washed with water, dried (MgSO₄) and concentratedunder reduced pressure. The residue was purified over silica gelchromatography (eluants: EtOAc/MeOH) to obtain the titled product. ¹HNMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ7.36 (dd, J=1.8 & 10.5 Hz, 1H), 7.27 ((m, 2H),6.56 (dd, J=6.9& 11.4 Hz, 1H), 6.40 (dt, J=5.7, 7.5 & 12.9 Hz, 1H), 4.17(m, 2H), 4.01 (m, 1H), 3.78 (m, 2H), 3.60 (dd, J=3.6 & 11.1 Hz, 1H),3.47 (m, 1H), 3.45 (s, 3H), 2.36 (dd, J=9.6 & 15.9 Hz, 1H), 1.78 (dd,J=2.4 & 15.6 Hz, 1H), 1.45-1.25 (m, 2H), 0.89 (m, 2H).

Example 652,4-dichloro-N-(3,4-difluoro-2-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenylamino)phenyl)benzenesulfonamide

Synthesized by method A using the appropriate sulfonyl chloride, m/z=571[M−1].

Example 662-chloro-N-(3,4-difluoro-2-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenylamino)phenyl)-4-(trifluoromethyl)benzenesulfonamide

Synthesized by method A using the appropriate sulfonyl chloride, m/z=605[M−1].

Example 67N-(3,4-difluoro-2-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenylamino)phenyl)-2-(trifluoromethoxy)benzenesulfonamide

Synthesized by method A using the appropriate sulfonyl chloride, m/z=587[M−1].

Example 684-(N-(3,4-difluoro-2-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenylamino)phenyl)sulfamoyl)benzoicacid

Synthesized by method A using the appropriate sulfonyl chloride, m/z=584[M−1].

Example 69N-(3,4-difluoro-2-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenylamino)phenyl)benzenesulfonamide

Synthesized by method A using the appropriate sulfonyl chloride, m/z=503[M−1].

Example 70N-(3,4-difluoro-2-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenylamino)phenyl)-2-fluorobenzenesulfonamide

Synthesized by method A using the appropriate sulfonyl chloride, m/z=521[M−1].

General Procedure D: Substitution of the Iodine Atom:

A suspension containing 1 eq. aryl iodide, 1.5 equiv. of the boronicacid or boronic ester, 0.25 eq. PdCl₂(dppf)×DCM and 10 eq. anhydrousK₂CO₃ powder in a deoxygenated mixture of dioxane and water (3:1) washeated in a microwave reactor for 60 min at 115° C. It was extractedusing aq. NH₄Cl/THF, and the organic fraction was dried using Na₂SO₄.The crude reaction products were purified using flash-columnchromatography (Si, EtOAc/Hexanes, or CHCl₃/MeOH). Yields: 20-40%.

Example 71N-(3,4-difluoro-2-(2-fluoro-4-methylphenylamino)phenyl)cyclopropanesulfonamide

General procedure D: ¹H-NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃): δ=7.38-7.36 (m, 1H),7.06-7.03 (q, 1H), 6.92-6.90 (1H), 6.73-6.72 (d, 1H), 6.63 (s, 1H, br),6.37-6.33 (t, 1H), 5.54 (s, 1H, br), 2.42-2.39 (m, 1H), 2.25 (s, 3H),1.14-1.11 (m, 2H), 0.94-0.90 (m, 2H); m/z=355 [M−1].

Where racemic mixtures of chiral compounds have been resolved intoseparate enantiomers, the phrase “substantially free” of the epimer, asused herein, means an enantiomeric excess of at least 90%.

Example 72N-(3,4-difluoro-2-(2-fluoro-4-(1H-pyrazol-4-yl)phenylamino)phenyl)cyclopropanesulfonamide Step A:2,3-Difluoro-N-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenyl)-6-nitroaniline

To a solution of 2-fluoro-4-iodoaniline (11.40 g, 47 mmol) in 100 mlanhydrous THF at 0° C., 47 ml of a 1M solution of LHMDS in THF (47 mmol)was added dropwise. The color of the solution turned dark purple. Thesolution was transferred via cannula to a dropping funnel, and thesolution (containing the amine free base) was added in small portions toa solution of 2,3,4-trifluoronitrobenzene (8.321 g, 47.0 mmol) inanhydrous THF (50 ml) at 0° C. After completion of addition the mixturewas stirred under argon at room temperature for 15 hours. The volume ofthe solvent was reduced, followed by extraction using ethyl acetate andbrine. The organic layer was dried over sodium sulfate, the solvent wasremoved, and the obtained dark oil was purified by flash chromatography(EtOAc/hexane 1:5, R_(f)=0.58) yielding the crude product, which becamea brown solid upon drying in vacuo (yield: 6.23 g, 33.6%); m/z=393[M−1]⁻.

Step B: 5,6-Difluoro-N1-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenyl)benzene-1,2-diamine

To a solution of nitro-diarylamine (6.23 g, 15.8 mmol) in 300 ml ethanolwas added iron powder (13.74 g, 246 mmol) and ammonium chloride (13.59g, 254 mmol) and the mixture was heated with stirring at 100° C. oilbath temperature for 14 hours. It was filtered and the residue washedtwo times with ethanol. The ethanol was removed in vacuo, and theresidue was extracted using ethyl acetate/1M NaOH solution. During theextraction, more precipitate was formed which was filtered anddiscarded. The combined organic layers were washed with brine and driedover sodium sulfate. The solvent was removed, and the crude product wasrecrystallized from CHCl₃/hexane (1:50). The product was obtained asbrown needles (2.094 g, 66%). R_(f)=0.44 (EtOAc/Hex 1:3). ¹H-NMR (500MHz, CDCl₃): δ=7.40-7.38 (dd, 1H, J=11.3 Hz, J=1.5 Hz), 7.25-7.23 (d,1H, J=8.5 Hz), 6.97-6.92 (q, 1H, J=9 Hz), 6.51-6.48 (m, 1H), 6.24-6.21(t, 1H, J=9 Hz), 5.3 (s, 1H, NH, br), 3.80 (s, 2H, NH₂, br); LRMS (ESI):m/z=365 [M+H]⁺.

Step C:N-(3,4-difluoro-2-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenylamino)phenyl)cyclopropanesulfonamide

According to the general procedure A,5,6-difluoro-N1-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenyl)benzene-1,2-diamine was reactedwith cyclopropanesulfonyl chloride to obtain the desired product. (500MHz, CDCl₃): δ=7.38-7.37 (d, 1H), 7.35-7.34 (m, 1H), 7.27-7.26 (m, 1H),7.20-7.0 (q, 1H), 6.68 (s, 1H, br), 6.15-6.12 (q, 1H), 5.65 (s, 1H, br),3.25-3.20 (m, 1H), 2.4-2.3 (m, 2H), 2.0-1.8 (m, 2H); m/z=467 [M−1]⁻.

Step D:N-(3,4-difluoro-2-(2-fluoro-4-(1H-pyrazol-4-yl)phenylamino)phenyl)cyclopropanesulfonamide

General procedure C: ¹H-NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃): δ=8.00-7.90 (m, 2H),7.30-7.20 (m, 2H), 7.15-7.10 (m, 1H), 7.05-7.00 (m, 1H), 6.70-6.60 (m,1H), 2.40-2.35 (m, 1H), 1.05-1.0 (m, 2H), 0.95-0.85 (m, 2H); m/z=407[M−1]⁻.

Example 73N-(3,4-difluoro-2-(2-fluoro-4-(1-methyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)phenylamino)phenyl)cyclopropanesulfonamide

General procedure C: ¹H-NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃): δ=7.95 (s, 1H), 7.75 (s,1H), 7.30-7.20 (m, 2H), 7.15-7.10 (m, 1H), 7.05-7.00 (m, 1H), 6.70-6.60(m, 1H), 3.95 (s, 3H), 2.40-2.35 (m, 1H), 1.05-1.0 (m, 2H), 0.95-0.85(m, 2H); m/z=421 [M−1]⁻.

Example 74N-(3,4-difluoro-2-(2-fluoro-4-(1H-pyrazol-3-yl)phenylamino)phenyl)cyclopropanesulfonamide

General procedure C: ¹H-NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃): δ=7.90 (s, 1H), 7.80 (s,1H), 7.30-7.20 (m, 2H), 7.15-7.10 (m, 1H), 7.05-7.00 (m, 1H), 6.70-6.60(m, 1H), 3.95 (s, 3H), 2.40-2.35 (m, 1H), 1.05-1.0 (m, 2H), 0.95-0.85(m, 2H); m/z=407 [M−1]⁻.

Example 75N-(3,4-difluoro-2-(2-fluoro-4-(pyridin-4-yl)phenylamino)phenyl)cyclopropanesulfonamide

General procedure C: ¹H-NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃): δ=8.62-8.61 (d, 2H),7.43-7.41 (m, 4H), 7.23-7.22 (m, 1H), 7.16-7.11 (q, 1H), 6.61-6.58 (t,1H), 6.11 (s, 1H, br), 2.53-2.50 (m, 1H), 1.21-1.10 (m, 2H), 1.02-0.99(m, 2H); m/z=418 [M−1]⁻.

Example 76N-(3,4-difluoro-2-(2-fluoro-4-(pyridin-3-yl)phenylamino)phenyl)cyclopropanesulfonamide

General procedure C: ¹H-NMR (500 MHz, [D6]-DMSO): δ=9.45 (s, 1H), 8.91(s, 1H), 8.54 (s, 1H), 8.07-8.06 (d, 1H), 7.76-7.70 (m, 2H), 7.46-7.34(m, 2H), 7.34-7.33 (d, 2H), 6.80-6.78 (m, 1H), 0.86-0.79 (m, 4H);m/z=418 [M−1]⁻.

Example 77N-(2-(4-cyano-2-fluorophenylamino)-3,4-difluorophenyl)cyclopropanesulfonamide

A suspension containing the aryl iodide (75.5 mg, 0.161 mmol), CuCN(46.6 mg, 0.520 mmol and Pd(OAc)₂ (0.47 mg) in 1 ml anhydrous DMF washeated to 130° C. for 60 min. in a microwave reactor. The mixture wasextracted using brine/THF, and the organic fractions were dried usingNa₂SO₄. Subsequent flash-column chromatography gave the product as adark red semi-solid (R_(f)=0.42 (EtOAc/Hexanes 1:1). Yield: 15%. m/z=366[M−1]⁻.

Example 78N-(3,4-difluoro-2-(3-fluorobiphenyl-4-ylamino)phenyl)cyclopropanesulfonamide

General procedure C: ¹H-NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃): δ=7.55-7.53 (m, 2H),7.45-7.3 (m, 5H), 7.20-7.15 (d, 1H), 7.13-7.10 (q, 1H), 6.70 (s, 1H,br), 6.60-6.55 (t, 1H), 5.75 (s, 1H, br), 2.53-2.50 (m, 1H), 1.21-1.10(m, 2H), 1.02-0.99 (m, 2H); m/z=417 [M−1]⁻.

Example 79N-(2-(3′-acetyl-3-fluorobiphenyl-4-ylamino)-3,4-difluorophenyl)cyclopropanesulfonamide

General procedure C: ¹H-NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃): δ=8.6 (s, 1H), 7.86-7.85(d, 1H), 7.68-7.66 (d, 1H), 7.49-7.46 (t, 1H), 7.38-7.33 (m, 2H),7.20-7.18 (d, 1H), 7.09-7.03 (q, 1H), 6.90 (s, 1H, br), 6.57-6.54 (t,1H), 5.90 (s, 1H), br), 2.61 (s, 3H), 2.46-2.43 (m, 1H), 1.15-1.13 (m,2H), 0.94-0.91 (m, 2H); m/z=459 [M−1]⁻.

Example 80N-(2-(4′-cyano-3-fluorobiphenyl-4-ylamino)-3,4-difluorophenyl)cyclopropanesulfonamide

General procedure C: ¹H-NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃): δ=7.68-7.66 (m, 2H),7.58-7.57 (m, 2H), 7.38-7.35 (m, 2H), 7.20-7.18 (d, 1H), 7.18-7.02 (q,1H), 6.67 (s, 1H, br), 6.58-6.54 (t, 1H), 5.99 (s, 1H, br), 2.47-2.44(m, 1H), 1.15-1.13 (m, 2H), 0.94-0.91 (m, 2H); m/z=442 [M−1]⁻.

Example 81N-(2-(3,4′-difluorobiphenyl-4-ylamino)-3,4-difluorophenyl)cyclopropanesulfonamide

General procedure C: ¹H-NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃): δ=7.44-7.37 (m, 3H),7.29-7.27 (d, 1H), 7.11-7.05 (m, 4H), 6.70 (s, 1H, br), 6.53-6.50 (t,1H), 5.81 (s, 1H, br), 2.47-2.44 (m, 1H), 1.15-1.13 (m, 2H), 0.94-0.91(m, 2H); m/z=435 [M−1]⁻.

Example 82N-(3,4-difluoro-2-(3-fluoro-4′-(methylsulfonamido)biphenyl-4-ylamino)phenyl)cyclopropanesulfonamide

General procedure C: ¹H-NMR (500 MHz, [D6]-DMSO): δ=9.39 (s, 1H, br),7.63-7.60 (m, 3H), 7.53-7.50 (d, 1H), 7.30-7.23 (m, 4H), 7.74-7.65 (m,1H), 2.99 (s, 3H), 0.80-0.73 (m, 4H); m/z=510 [M−1]⁻.

Example 83N-(3,4-difluoro-2-(2-fluoro-4-methylphenylamino)phenyl)cyclopropanesulfonamide

General procedure C: ¹H-NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃): δ=7.38-7.36 (m, 1H),7.06-7.03 (q, 1H), 6.92-6.90 (1H), 6.73-6.72 (d, 1H), 6.63 (s, 1H, br),6.37-6.33 (t, 1H), 5.54 (s, 1H, br), 2.42-2.39 (m, 1H), 2.25 (s, 3H),1.14-1.11 (m, 2H), 0.94-0.90 (m, 2H); m/z=355 [M−1]⁻.

Example 844′-(6-(cyclopropanesulfonamido)-2,3-difluorophenylamino)-3′-fluorobiphenyl-3-carboxylicacid

General procedure C: ¹H-NMR (500 MHz, [D4]-MeOH): δ=8.21 (s, 1H),7.93-7.91 (d, 1H), 7.73-7.72 (d, 1H), 7.47-7.43 (m, 2H), 7.33-7.31 (d,2H), 7.15-7.12 (q, 1H), 6.71-6.68 (m, 1H), 2.51-2.46 (m, 1H), 0.94-0.93(m, 2H), 0.88-0.87 (m, 2H); m/z=499 [M−1]⁻.

Example 85N-(3,4-difluoro-2-(3-fluoro-3′-(methylsulfonamido)biphenyl-4-ylamino)phenyl)cyclopropanesulfonamide

General procedure C: ¹H-NMR (500 MHz, [D4]-MeOH): δ=7.92 (s, 1H),7.46-7.34 (m, 5H), 7.34-7.31 (d, 1H), 7.29-7.22 (m, 1H), 7.16-7.15 (q,1H), 6.74-6.71 (m, 1H), 2.80 (s, 3H), 2.54-2.51 (m, 1H), 0.94-0.92 (m,2H), 0.91-0.90 (m, 2H); m/z=510 [M−1]⁻.

Example 86N-(3,4-difluoro-2-(3-fluoro-2′-(methylsulfonamido)biphenyl-4-ylamino)phenyl)cyclopropanesulfonamide

General procedure C: ¹H-NMR (500 MHz, [D4]-MeOH): δ=7.50-7.49 (d, 1H),7.40-7.32 (m, 4H), 7.29-7.28 (d, 1H), 7.26-7.10 (m, 2H), 6.73-6.71 (m,1H), 2.80 (s, 3H), 2.51-2.49 (m, 1H), 0.94-0.92 (m, 2H), 0.91-0.90 (m,2H); m/z=510 [M−1]⁻.

Example 87N-(3,4-difluoro-2-(3-fluoro-4′-(trifluoromethoxy)biphenyl-4-ylamino)phenyl)cyclopropanesulfonamide

General procedure C: ¹H-NMR (500 MHz, [D4]-MeOH): δ=7.69-7.67 (d, 2H),7.46-7.43 (d, 1H), 7.36-7.33 (m, 4H), 7.30-7.29 (q, 1H), 6.73-6.72 (m,1H), 2.51-2.49 (m, 1H), 0.94-0.92 (m, 2H), 0.91-0.90 (m, 2H); m/z=501[M−1]⁻.

Example 88N-(3,4-Difluoro-2-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenylamino)phenyl)-2-(methylamino)ethanesulfonamide

General procedure D. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 9.01 (br s, D₂Oexchangeable, 1H), 7.36 (dd, J=2.1 & 10.5 Hz, 1H), 7.27 (m, 1H), 7.17(m, 1H), 7.03 (dd, J=9.0 & 16.8 Hz, 1H), 6.48 (s, D₂O exchangeable, 1H),6.31 (dt, J=3.0, 8.7 & 17.4 Hz, 1H), 3.45 (br t, 2H), 3.31 (br s, 2H),2.65 (s, 3H), 1.80 (br s, D₂O exchangeable, 1H).

Example 89N-(3,4-difluoro-2-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenylamino)phenyl)-2-(2-(dimethylamino)ethylamino)ethanesulfonamide

General procedure D. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 7.35 (m, 1H), 7.25 (m,1H), 7.18 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 1H), 7.02 (dd, J=8.7 & 18.0 Hz, 1H), 6.38 (m,1H), 6.18 (dd, J=8.7 & 17.1 Hz, 1H), 3.62 (t, J=5.7 & 6.3 Hz, 2H), 3.35(m, 2H), 3.26 (m, 2H), 3.26 (t, J=5.7 & 6.6 Hz, 2H), 3.11 (t, J=5.1 &6.0 Hz, 2H), 2.85 (s, 6H).

Example 90N-(3,4-difluoro-2-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenylamino)phenyl)-2-(ethyl(methyl)amino)ethanesulfonamide

General procedure D. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, (CDCl₃+D₂O)): δ 7.39 (dd, J=1.5 &10.5 Hz, 1H), 7.31 (m, 2H), 7.07 (dd, J=9.0 & 17.4 Hz, 1H), 6.30 (dt,J=2.4, 9.0 & 17.4 Hz, 1H), 3.55 (t, J=6.9 & 7.8 Hz, 2H), 3.38 (br t,J=6.0 & 8.7 Hz, 2H), 3.05 (q, 2H), 2.69 (s, 3H), 1.31 (t, J=7.2 Hz, 3H).

Example 91N-(3,4-difluoro-2-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenylamino)phenyl)-2-(4-methylpiperazin-1-yl)ethanesulfonamide

General procedure D. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CD₃OD): δ 7.45 (dd, J=2.1 & 10.8Hz, 1H), 7.30 (m, 2H), 7.16 (dd, J=9.6 & 17.7 Hz, 1H), 6.39 (dt, J=3.3,9.3 & 17.7 Hz, 1H), 3.26 (m, J=7.5 Hz, 2H), 3.10 (br m, 6H), 2.87 (s,3H), 2.82 (t, J=7.5 Hz, 2H), 2.48 (br m, 4H).

Biological Activity

Generation of IC50 Data

Materials and preparation of reagents: Human GST-MEK1 and theconstitutively active allele GST-MEK1 CA (harboring the mutationsSer218Asp and Ser222Asp) were subcloned into the yeast expression vectorpGEM4Z (Promega, Madison, Wis.) from the wild type human MEK1 cDNA.GST-MEK1^(CA) was expressed in Escherichia coli and partially purifiedusing Glutathione Sepharose 4B affinity resin (Amersham PharmaciaBiotech, Piscataway, N.J.). The ERK2 allele was subcloned fromMAPK2/Erk2 cDNA (wild type) in pUSEamp (Upstate Biotechnology, Inc.,Waltham, Mass.) into the vector pET21a (Novagen, Madison, Wis.)resulting in an N-terminal histidine-tagged mouse ERK2 allele. ERK2 wasexpressed and purified to homogeneity [Zhang, 1993 #33]. Myelin basicprotein (MBP) was purchased from Gibco BRL (Rockville, Md.). EasyTidesadenosine 5′-triphosphate (ATP) ([γ-³³P]) (NEN Perkin Elmer, Wellesley,Mass.) was the source of radiolabel for all kinase reactions. ActivatedRaf-1 (truncated) and activated MAPKinase 2/ERK2 were purchased fromUpstate, Inc. (Lake Placid, N.Y.). 4-20% Criterion Precast gels werepurchased from Bio-Rad (Hercules, Calif.).

Determination of enzymatic activity: Compounds were diluted fromdimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) stocks into 1×HMNDE (20 mM HEPES pH 7.2, 1 mMMgCl₂, 100 mM NaCl, 1.25 mM DTT, 0.2 mM EDTA). A typical 25-microliterassay contained 0.002 nanomoles MEK1^(CA), 0.02 nanomoles ERK2, 0.25nanomoles MBP, 0.25 nanomoles unlabeled ATP, and 0.1 μCi [γ³³P] ATP. Thescreening assay essentially comprised four additions. Five μl of dilutedcompound were dispensed to 96-well assay plates. Ten 1 of 2.5× enzymecocktail (MEK1^(CA) and ERK2 only) were then added to each well followedby a pre-incubation for 30 minutes at ambient temperature. Ten μl of2.5× substrate cocktail (labeled and unlabeled ATP plus MBP) were thenadded, followed by incubation for 60 minutes at ambient temperature.Finally, 100 μl of 10% trichloroacetic acid (TCA) were added andincubated for 30 minutes at room temperature to halt the reaction andprecipitate radiolabeled protein products. Reaction products wereharvested on glass fiber 96 well filter plates prewetted with water and1% pyrophosphate. The filter plate was then washed 5 times with water.Water was displaced by absolute ethanol and the plate was allowed to airdry for 30 minutes at room temperature. A back seal was applied manuallyand 40 μl of scintillation cocktail were dispensed to each well. A topseal was applied and the plate was counted in the TopCount for twoseconds per well.

For certain experiments a truncated version of MEK that requiresactivation by Raf kinase were used.

Generation of EC50 Data

Effects of compounds in the cell were determined by Western blotting forphosphorylated ERK. MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells were plated in a 48well plate at 20,000 cells per well and grown in a 37° humidified CO₂incubator. The following day, the growth media (DMEM+10% fetal bovineserum) was removed and replaced with starve media (DMEM+0.1% fetalbovine serum). Cells were incubated in the starve media for sixteenhours and then treated with a range of compound concentrations forthirty minutes. After incubation with compound, cells were stimulatedwith 100 ng/ml EGF for five minutes. The cells were then lysed andanalyzed by Western blot using a monoclonal antibody raised tophosphorylated ERK. The signal was amplified using a secondary antibodyconjugated to a near-IR dye and detected on a Licor Odyssey scanner. Theintensity of signal was quantitated and this data was used to generatedose response curves and EC50 calculations.

Compound Number Structure Activity μM 1000

A 1001

A 1002

B 1003

C 1004

C 1005

C 1006

C 1007

C 1008

C 1009

C 1010

A 1011

C 1012

B 1013

B 1014

C 1015

D 1016

C 1017

B 1018(Racemic)

A 1019(Racemic)

A 1020(Racemic)

A 1021(S isomer)

A 1022(R isomer)

B 1023(R isomer)

B 1024(S isomer)

B 1025

B 1026

A 1027

A 1028

A 1029

C 1030

C 1031

A Legend: A, EC₅₀ = <2.0 nM; B, EC₅₀ = 2.0-15 nM; C, EC₅₀ = 15 nM-100nM; D, EC₅₀ > 100 nM, IC₅₀ < 20 μM; F, EC₅₀ > 100 nM, IC₅₀ > 20 μM

MDA pERK CPD # Structure ELISA EC₅₀ 0497618

E 0497620

E 0497654

D 0497688

E 0497689

E 0497692

E 0499266

E 0499267

ND 0499268

ND 0499271

E 0530701

D 0530716

ND 0530717

ND 0561599

C 0561608

C 0620926

E 0620927

C 0621002

C 0621016

C 0621026

D 0621029

D 0621030

ND Legend: A, EC₅₀ = <2.0 nM; B, EC₅₀ = 2.0-15 nM; C, EC₅₀ = 15 nM-100nM; D, EC₅₀ = 100 nM-200 nM; E, EC₅₀ > 200 nM; ND = not yet determined

1-101. (canceled)
 102. The compound(S)-N-(3,4-difluoro-2-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenylamino)-6-methoxyphenyl)-1-(2,3-dihydroxypropyl)cyclopropane-1-sulfonamide:


103. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a therapeutically effectiveamount of(S)-N-(3,4-difluoro-2-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenylamino)-6-methoxyphenyl)-1-(2,3-dihydroxypropyl)cyclopropane-1-sulfonamide:


104. The composition of claim 103, further comprising a pharmaceuticallyacceptable carrier.
 105. The composition of claim 104, substantiallyfree of(R)-N-(3,4-difluoro-2-(2-fluoro-4-iodophenylamino)-6-methoxyphenyl)-1-(2,3-dihydroxypropyl)cyclopropane-1-sulfonamide.